This stunning picture of vibrant lupins growing at Lake Tekapo in New Zealand has helped a Suffolk photographer win an international photography award.

Eastern Daily Press: Richard Bloom, who lives in Mellis, near Eye, has won the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition for 2016. Photo: supplied.Richard Bloom, who lives in Mellis, near Eye, has won the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition for 2016. Photo: supplied. (Image: supplied)

Richard Bloom, who lives in Mellis, near Eye, was on holiday in December 2014 when he spotted lupins growing on the roadside.

Getting up before dawn the next day, he drove out to Lake Tekapo, on the South Island, and was met with the sight of the sun rising above the flowers.

He said: 'I've never seen them naturalised like that before. They are a common garden plant and to see them in a wild and natural landscape was incredible. I'm very proud of the photograph.'

The picture made the 42 year old the overall winner of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition for 2016, with judges calling the photograph a 'joy to behold'.

Mr Bloom, who's father is Adrian Bloom, chairman of Blooms Nurseries at Bressingham, near Diss, was also the overall winner of the wildlife landscape picture.

The competition attracted 23,000 entries from across the world and the father of two said he felt very proud to have won.

He said: 'The standard of the photography is incredibly high and I was not expecting to win. I don't think I realise the potential it had.'

For more about Mr Bloom and his photography, visit http://www.richardbloom.co.uk/