A former Cromer mayor, who gave up his job to pursue a passion for art, has been short-listed for a prestigious visual arts prize.

Greg Hayman is one of just 73 artists to have their work selected for the Jerwood Drawing Prize from amongst almost 3,000 entries.

All short-listed works will feature in an exhibition at the Jerwood Space gallery in London from September 12 to October 28 and will the tour venues across the UK. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and two student places.

Mr Hayman, who was Cromer's first citizen from May 2011 to 2012, said: 'I am shocked and surprised to have been nominated. It is the most prestigious drawing prize in the UK and to be short-listed is a big deal for me.

'I am also really thrilled about my work being part of an exhibition. It will be my first proper exhibition in London.'

Mr Hayman, 54, gave up his job as the head of communications at Cambridge University two years ago to undertake a fine art degree at Norwich University College of the Arts. He will start his final year of the course in September.

He has worked in a variety of mediums but specialises in print making and sculpture. His short-listed piece is a 130cm by 96cm screen print of a found image that has been manipulated and printed in white ink on black paper.

Mr Hayman said: 'I was a hobby artist for years. One of the reasons I gave up work a few years ago was because I wanted to find out if I did have any talent. The only way to do that is study it properly. I gave up work and I haven't regretted it at all, apart from the lack of money.'

The prizes will be awarded to the winning artists at a ceremony on Tuesday September 11.