13-year-old wins top photography prize with this pic

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

A 13-year-old boy has won an award at the Eden Project's first ever Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition.

The teenager took the picture of Cornish heather whilst out on a family dog walk one evening and said he 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".

His photograph of the wild heather secured him the top prize and he said he hoped his image inspired people to "see the wonder in the small things in life".

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

This photo of beach bindweed was Highly Commended in the Young Person's Category

One of the judges said: "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."

Hundreds of people had entered images to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Wildflower Centre (NWC).

Wildflower populations in the UK have been in decline since the 1930s and the NWC is working to reverse this.

The NWC 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."