A young artist who works with preserved moss has won a prestigious award at the Dorset County Show.

Noah Mckeown, 26, a resident artist at the Purbeck Artisan Yard in Wareham, won the first place award for his business Naturally Rooted Gift's stall at this year's Dorset County Show, in which he displayed his artwork for festival attendees to see.

His display beat numerous other stalls from traders and artisans to take home the top prize. He won both the prize for Best Shopping or Artisan Tradestand and The RAYNBIRD Perpetual Challenge Cup - the overall award for best trade stand.

Mr Mckeown said that he had no idea that his stall was being judged and was surprised when he was told he had won the awards.

He said: "This was my first time exhibiting at this fair and due to the uniqueness of my art and being sustainable, keeping items out of landfills to be reused in my art, I won first prize out of all of the hundreds of trade stands from across the show, and received a large trophy, rosette and plaque.

"I was gobsmacked. I was left absolutely speechless."

Noah explained that his art is made from preserved moss. He says that the material, with which he makes wall panels and wall art, will last for years so long as it is kept out of direct sunlight.

Describing his artistic work, Noah said: "The natural world, its innocence and vulnerability yet incredible strength provides my inspiration I use natural products in my creations from gnarled and twisted wood to preserved flat, bun and reindeer moss and preserved Amaranthus. I contrast this with the addition of hessian masks, made to look as though they were growing out of the piece."

This year's Dorset County Show took place over the weekend of September 7 and September 8, in which numerous displays and stalls competed for prizes in a range of categories.

More details about the show, including the full list of this year's winners, can be found at dorsetcountyshow.co.uk