A SCULPTOR and part-time teacher has been tipped for national acclaim after scooping a prestigious art prize in London.

Juliet Haysom, 29, from Langton Matravers, has landed the Jerwood Sculpture Prize together with the £25,000 first prize.

The award is a timely boost to the career of Miss Haysom who has funded her burgeoning career by teaching in England and Italy.

Miss Haysom beat competition from seven other shortlisted candidates to land the prize.

She said: "I am really thrilled and pleasantly surprised by the decision.

"More than anything I will be excited to see the sculpture made. The design itself is quite technical in many ways so the judges have shown a lot of faith in me."

Now in its fourth year, the Jerwood has built a reputation for quality and innovation.

Miss Haysom's winning design, named Spring', involves drilling a bore-hole above a natural aquifer in Jerwood Sculpture Park in Warwickshire.

The spring it creates will send a mist of water into the air.

Judge chairman Neville Gabie, commended the brave' design.

He said: "Speaking on behalf of the selectors we were keen to support an artist for whom this will be a significant opportunity to extend their practice at an early stage in their career.

"With this commission we hope that it will enable Juliet to evolve and develop as an artist."

Miss Haysom, who has moved to London to further her career, now intends to open a studio to display her work.