A BENFLEET woman came third place in a photography competition which aims to raise awareness of heart valve disease.

The Royal Photographic Society teamed up with The Heart Valve Voice charity, to create ‘Patient Portraits – A New You’ – depicting life after heart valve disease with a photographic documentary.

Lucy Jarvis, 22, of Benfleet, was the winner for the East of England and went through to the national finals held at the Houses of Parliament, coming third place overall for her series of photos. Lucy’s models were twin sisters Katharine and Christine Greenland, 71, who both had heart valve disease.

Lucy said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded third place in the finals of the National Photography Competition.

“I’m grateful to Katherine and Christine for allowing me the privilege to photograph them and the time we spent together has really allowed me to understand the realities of heart valve disease and the difference receiving treatment can make.”

Eric Etchart, of Chelmsford, was the overall winner of the competition.