A WEST Devon sculptor has collected a prestigious prize in a national Artist of the Year competition.

Nick Mackman from Bratton Clovelly, won the Open Category of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition, with her sculpture of a warthog entitled Bad Hair Day.

Nick said she was not expecting to win the prize.

'I was absolutely floored when they called my name. What was lovely was that after I had received the prize, people came up to me saying they were glad I won it because they really liked the piece.'

Nick described the warthog as having been caught unawares, without a chance to spruce himself up.

Judge and wildlife artist, Hazel Soan, said: 'It's as if the artist grasped the mud beneath her feet and conjured up the magic of Africa.'

The prizes were presented to winners at the awards ceremony in London by founder and president of DSWF David Shepherd, ex-England cricketer David Gower and friend of the Foundation and actor, Robert Lindsay.

As well as winning a prize for her work, Nick was astounded when David Shepherd asked to buy it.

She said: 'It was better than winning the award. He whispered to me as I was collecting the prize. I was already on cloud nine from winning the award but for him to buy the piece, I was euphoric. I was absolutely flattered.'

Artist and conservationist David Shepherd said: 'The quality of entries was outstanding. As one of the judges, I was extremely impressed and I am looking forward to the same high standard for next year's competition.'

To see more of Nick Mackman's sculptures, visit her website at http://www.clayanimalsculptures.co.uk">www.clayanimalsculptures.co.uk