A GLASS blower has been named as a top emerging artist in a regional contest.

Charlotte Hughes works at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, where she gives demonstrations to the public and produces one-off sculptures from her workshop.

She was named as best emerging artist at the Creative North-East awards ceremony, which was held at the Baltic, in Gateshead.

The 25-year-old has worked as a glass artist for three years since studying the subject for a degree.

She was nominated for the award by a company that organised an exhibition of work by Charlotte and other artists in France.

Vicky Nicholls, chief executive of the National Glass Centre, said: "Charlotte is fast becoming a top artist on the glass scene.

"Her work has already been selected to feature in the Bombay Sapphire Blue Room exhibition, which showcases international designers, architects and artists who are competing for an overall prize of £15,000 awarded for excellence and innovation.

"Charlotte's work will also be touring China and Hong Kong in an exhibition which has already been well received in France."

Another glass artist at the national centre, Jo Mitchell, was commissioned to make the awards presented at the ceremony.