A NONAGENARIAN who suffered heart valve disease has become the focus of a photograph series to be displayed in the Houses of Parliament.

Raymond Stickells, of Bishop Auckland, will feature in the images taken as part of a national photography competition, Patient Portraits: A New You.

Run by UK heart valve disease charity Heart Valve Voice and The Royal Photographic Society, it aims to raise awareness of heart valve disease - a growing health concern currently affecting approximately 1.5m people in the UK over the age of 65.

The 90-year-old, who has received treatment for the disease, has been paired with the contest’s North-East regional winner Laura Curl.

She has spent time with Mr Stickells and his wife Sheila, photographing their everyday activities together to represent what life after heart valve disease means to him.

“This has been a great opportunity to use my passion for photography for a good cause,” said Ms Curl, 29, of Hull. “I’m looking forward to sharing his (Mr Stickell’s) story through photography while also raising awareness of heart valve disease.”

Nine years ago Mr Stickells was struggling to keep up with a busy retirement in addition to looking after his wife of more than 43 years, who is deaf, and was finding everyday activities increasingly difficult.

After early diagnosis by his GP, the pensioner had minimally invasive surgery by the heart team at competition supporter James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Following a short recovery period he resumed enjoying his busy retirement, bowling twice a week and gardening when the weather is good.

Ms Curl’s documentary photo series will be displayed at the Houses of Parliament alongside other regional representatives this autumn when the national winner will be announced.