Abigail Dunne aged 17 from Bude, has been selected as the Regional Winner of the South West 17 to 18 year old category in Sightsavers International's i-click competition 2009.

Budehaven student Abigail's photo, selected from hundreds of entries submitted by aspiring young photographers from across the UK, will be displayed in a special exhibition alongside photos by Harry Potter star Katie Leung and X-Factor pop sensation Same Difference at the.gallery@oxo on London's South Bank.

The theme for the competition this year was 'Body language.' From capturing hand gestures, to body shapes, the raise of an eyebrow to an affectionate greeting — young people were challenged to try and snap moments in time when actions speak louder than words.

Abigail is a Year 12 student currently studying A Levels in Photography, History, English Literature and Drama at Budehaven Community School. Her winning photograph 'Looking into the Past' shows an old, smartly dressed man standing on the local cliffs, looking out to sea. Abigail was selected as the regional winner of the South West in the 17 to 18 age category.

Jo Mitchell, Schools Development Manager for Sightsavers International, commented: "I was so impressed by the level of thought and attention that went into the entries submitted this year. It's great to be involved in a project that encourages young people to reflect on how we use our senses and also celebrate their creativity!

"We were all so impressed by the professionalism and artistic flair demonstrated by these young photographers and the resulting exhibition will help us to demonstrate just how precious the gift of sight really is."

Sightsavers works in over 30 countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean to treat and prevent avoidable blindness and to also improve life for those who are irreversibly blind. There are 45 million people in the world who are blind yet a staggering 75 per cent of blindness can be prevented or treated, often through very simple and cost-effective interventions.

The exhibition, 'i:click — when actions speak louder than words' will be held in the.gallery@oxo on London's South Bank from December 10 to January 10 and entrance is free of charge. To find out more please go to http://www.sightsavers.org/iclick">www.sightsavers.org/iclick