Teenager's photo of Cornish heather wins top prize

The "Wild in Purple" photograph won in the Young Person's Category

A photo of Cornish heather taken by a teenager has won a photography prize.

M. Stanway was named the Young People's winner of the Eden Project's first Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition.

The Eden Project said hundreds of people had entered "stunning images" from the Shetlands to Sark of British wildflowers to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Wildflower Centre (NWC).

The 13-year-old winner said he hoped his image inspired people to "see the wonder in the small things in life".

He said: "I am so happy and proud to have won, I still can't believe it.

"While we were out on an evening family dog walk I was amazed at how the light had turned golden and was shining through the wildflowers - it made something a bit ordinary into something extraordinary and magical."

Judge and flower and garden photographer Clive Nichols said the competition was an opportunity to "enjoy a magnificent showcase of the wildflowers" in the UK.

"The winning photos truly encapsulate the beauty, kaleidoscope of colours and diversity of the wildflowers that we're lucky enough to have growing across our country," he said.

The NWC was founded in 2001 and became part of the Eden Project in 2017 with the aim to create new landscapes for people and pollinators.

Juliet Rose, head of development at the Eden Project, said she hoped the competition would bring more attention to wildlife.

She said: "Biodiversity is in crisis and people are less connected with nature than ever.

"We hope that by marking the NWC's 25th anniversary with this competition, the vital importance of wildflowers will be brought to the public's attention, while also celebrating their remarkable beauty."