An Exmouth mother had a double reward when she entered her snaps in the Royal Horticultural Society Photographic Competition.

Not only did Teresa Brown have one photo chosen as a runner up, and another commended, but she was also invited to join other competition winners on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Teresa, 53, of Exeter Road, had a day as a VIP, as her travel was paid for, she was pampered by the ITV make up team, and she got to hang out with celebrities backstage, before appearing on the programme to chat with Alan about her prize-winning photograph.

Teresa said: “From the moment I was collected at Paddington I was made to feel really special.

“There were various celebrities there, including Terry Wogan, Jeremy Paxman, Patrick Duffy and Lesley Garrett.

“It was a really good experience, and the chance of a lifetime, so I’m really glad I did it.”

Teresa’s prize-winning photo had origins close to home, as it depicts a field of bluebells at Blackbury Camp, near Sidmouth.

Teresa works in customer service, but her interest in photography had been furthered with visits to a digital photography interest group which she and other photographers set up after taking an evening class together.

Teresa also credits much of her success to the patience of her husband, Kevin, and son, Ollie, as she says: “Often when we’re out and about I want to take photos, and they have to hang on and wait a bit longer.”

To see more of Teresa’s work, visit http://www.digital_photography.talktalk.net/studentTB.html.