A WINCHESTER woman has wowed judges with her sewing skills, with a national magazine naming her 'dressmaker of the year'.

Darlene Nutbeam, who works in the day centre at the city council's Chesil Lodge retirement complex, took the title after her daughter persuaded her to take part in the Sew Magazine competition.

The 54-year-old, of Fairdown Close, said: "I've always sewn. My mother was a sewer so I was brought up with it."

Darlene said she was around three or four years old when her mum first showed her how to sew. She then taught her daughter to get involved.

She added as well as being a hobby, she makes clothes from family and friends but didn't think she was good enough to win a competition.

Darlene said: "I didn't for one minute think it would go anywhere."

As a prize, Darlene won a range of sewing and craft items.

Among the judges for the competition were costume designers for TV shows Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing.

Darlene wowed them with a little girl's frock, complete with sweet puff sleeves and an embroidered neckline.

According the magazine, Darlene's was unanimously chosen by the judging panel as the winner after more than 2,400 entries were submitted.