A freelance journalist from Attleborough has been crowned the UK's Young Freelancer of the Year at a ceremony at Covent Garden in London.

Lauren Razavi, 23, won the honour from the Association of Independent Professionals (IPSE).

Ms Ravazi has written for the Guardian, New Statesman and VICE and is now based in Norwich having launched a content strategy start-up firm called Flibl.

Ms Ravazi said she was delighted with the 'Aspire' award, which came with a £3,000 grant for her business and £5,000 in training supplied by the firm QA.

She said: 'It is absolutely incredible and quite unexpected, I didn't expect to win, because all the other finalists were quite fantastic and I was blown away by their work.

'So I am humbled and honoured to have won the Aspire award.'

Ms Ravazi also regularly speaks on radio and television about travel, foreign affairs and culture and delivers guest lectures and classes on becoming a freelance writer. Her work has so far taken her to more than 20 countries.

IPSE chief executive Chris Bryce said: 'Lauren is an excellent ambassador for this way of working.

'The judges were very impressed by the amount of success she has achieved so early in her career, and her dedication to helping others into freelancing.'