An artist is one step closer to being named Landscape Artist of the Year.

Jen Gash, 46, who was brought up in Chatham but has now moved to Bristol, was crowned winner of the first heat in the Sky Arts TV show.

She was one of 48 artists featured in the programme.

In her heat eight competitors were taken to an unknown location, which turned out to be Broadstairs beach.

The group had four hours to paint the landscape.

The top three were selected and Ms Gash won so got through to the semi-finals.

Occupational therapist Ms Gash said: "I've painted forever.

"I realised how much I enjoyed it when I was about 15 years old when I was at Fort Pitt school.

"I should have gone to art school but I wanted a job.

"But I picked up painting again in my 30s and have been exhibiting for 10 years."

Next Ms Gash will take on the other heat winners at Felixstowe Docks in an episode airing on Tuesday, November 27.

A £10,000 commission for the Imperial War Museum is the prize for the winner.