BRIGHTLY-coloured windmills photographed in rundown areas of Blackburn have won prize place in a prestigious London art gallery.

Created by 22-year-old Aliyah Hussain, from Dukes Brow, Blackburn, the artworks follow in the footsteps of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, who have had their work exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery.

The final year Manchester Metropolitan University was one of six finalists whittled down from a shortlist of 36 entries who were given the opportunity to display their work.

In total there had been more than 3,600 entries for the Google Photography Prize from 82 countries.

Google invited students to submit five digital photographs for an iGoogle ‘theme’ with the aim of creating a digital canvas for their creativity and bringing their art to a global audience.

As an added bonus she was awarded an additional commendation prize by the jury panel.

The themes of six finalists were selected for display at the capital’s contemporary art gallery on King’s Road.

Aliyah said: “A lot of my work explores urban areas and the photographs I entered for the Google Photography Prize were a comment on community pride in Blackburn.

“Brightly coloured windmills were placed in an area in the centre of the town that had been left to ruin and was full of old rubbish.

“I really like the contrast between the bright colours of the wheels and the bleak environment in which they were placed.

“I had to use three different sets of wheels for the shots as every time I returned to the site the previous ones had been destroyed.”

She added: “I was so excited to be shortlisted for the competition, especially as so many people had entered. The whole experience of being in London and in the Saachi gallery has been amazing.

When I discovered the judges were so impressed with my work they’d created a new prize for it, I was even more amazed!

“I now feel much more confident about continuing once I leave Manchester Metropolitan University.”