Driftwood washed up on the beach might seem worthless to most people, but for 71-year-old Angela Edwards the shoreline is a goldmine for her artistic pursuits.

Mrs Edwards, of Downham Market, retired 11 years ago after working in care management and has now opened her first art exhibition, inspired by nature.

'I have always loved the natural world – I am a bird watcher and I do a lot of walking. I have always enjoyed nature in its widest form,' she said.

'My philosophy is it's all out there – you just have to go and find it... and put it together.'

The two-month exhibition, involving creations made from driftwood, is currently on at the Westacre Theatre in Westacre, near King's Lynn, where she has already sold two pieces.

The artist, who said 75pc of her work was 'gathering', said she explored the north Norfolk coast looking for materials to create her work and Weybourne was her favourite place to look.

Mrs Edwards, who has three children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, previously channelled her creative energy into writing poetry in retirement.

'Retirement is your time. You are not at anybody's beck and call, you wake up in the morning and the day is yours,' she said.

During this time she also volunteers for the Downham Market dementia cafe and is on the fundraising committee for an organisation for people with physical and learning disabilities.

In autumn last year, she received recognition for long-term commitment to keeping fit at Alive Leisure gym, in Downham.

The exhibition, on River Road in Westacre, features more than 40 artworks.

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