Former bookkeeper Barbara McKnight has won the Accrington Observer summer photograph competition.
The 66-year-old bagged herself £500 and pride of place on an official 2010 council postcard.
Barbara, who lives on Ascot Way, Accrington, with her husband Alec, fought off competition from almost 50 fellow entrants and amounted enough votes to win the showdown against the nine other amateur photographers who reached the final.
The mum-of-one said: "I can’t believe I’ve won it to tell you the truth. It’s wonderful. It’s a challenging competition as there were so many good photos so it makes it all the more surprising."
Barbara was out walking with Alec and friends when she noticed the Edwardian-style tudor house Haworth Art Gallery glistening in the Hyndburn sun.
"I took it just after the Observer competition was announced earlier in the summer," said Barbara.
"We were just walking with friends when we noticed how nice the gallery and the flowers looked.
"We always tend to have a camera with us so took the picture knowing the competition had started.
"It came out quite well and has ended up being a really good picture. I’m not really a keen photographer, I just take pictures as and when we are on holiday or out walking," she added.
Unlucky runners-up in the closely fought final were Observer readers Beryl Rigby, Barry Barnes, Brian Smith, Janet Kerr, Jeffrey Ellis, Sandra Hargreaves, Terry Brereton, Vaughan Whitaker and Vicki Moran.
Barbara, a keen dancer, says she will be taking her cash prize on holiday with her.
"I think we are going to take the money and use it when we go to Tenerife. It’s exciting, I still can’t believe it."
