NORTH-EAST TV presenter and botanist David Bellamy picked the winner in a charity photography competition this week.

The contest, held by the Barnardo's shop, in Post House Wynd, Darlington, had a theme of The North. Amanda Hodgson, from Darlington, was the overall winner, with a picture taken in Reeth, Swaledale, showing a girl on a swing in front of the Yorkshire Dales.

She won a photography lesson with Derek Risbey and the chance to have her picture taken in the Venture studio, also in Post House Wynd.

Shop manager Jill Payne said: "David came along and did the judging and he was an absolute gem. We had about 70 entries overall and although we only raised about £40 the competition has hopefully raised the profile of the shop."