A TALENTED self-taught artist from the New Forest has revealed her delight at seeing her work go on display at a prestigious London art exhibition.

Bridget Harrison-Jeive, 55, who lives in Milford-on-Sea, had her artwork selected from 10,000 applications to feature in the 250th Royal Academy 2018 Summer Exhibition.

Her painting of two giraffes, titled The Girls, is currently on display at the Royal Academy of Arts in Burlington House, Piccadilly, alongside work from the likes of international-recognised artist David Hockney and former Bournemouth and Poole College of Art student Wolfgang Tillmans.

Bridget entered two paintings into the competition, with the second depicting beach huts at Highcliffe. Both pieces made it through the first phase of the process, but only the animal-themed painting made the final cut.

The trained beautician, who works at a local college, said it was a great feeling to have been chosen.

"I go to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition every year and this was the fourth year that I had entered my artwork," she said.

"I'm just so thrilled to have my painting in the exhibition.

"I paint in my little house and do it for my own enjoyment.

"When I first entered I planned to keep trying until I was 80 years old.

"After being in this year's exhibition I had thought about not entering anymore, but now it has actually inspired me to want to paint even more."

Bridget's artwork has already been snapped up for £750, with it being claimed prior to the public opening of the exhibition on June 12.

Earlier this month she travelled to the Royal Academy for the varnishing day. In the past this was the day when painters would go to exhibitions to add the finishing touches to their work.

Now it serves as an opportunity for all the artists to meet each other.

Bridget, who graded highly at O-Level Art while at school, said it was an "incredible" experience to meet such a range of artists, with entrants ranging from 18 to upwards of 80.

"It was great to be able to hear everyone's stories, whether it was the first time they had entered or if they had been trying for years.

"I found it wonderful and was a little overwhelmed at the same time."

The Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition is on display in Burlington House until August 19.