A teenager has won a national art competition for young hospital patients.

Annie Barter, 15, was drawing to pass the time at Colchester Hospital, where she is undergoing tests for epilepsy, when a nurse suggested she enter it into the contest.

It was run by children’s charity Starlight Children’s Foundation to support National Play in Hospital Week and young patients were asked to submit a drawing illustrating their favourite way to play or relax in hospital.

Annie, of Bentall Close, Halstead, beat hundreds of other entrants from across the country to be named national winner and regional winner for the Midlands.