DARLINGTON artist Gina Morton has received awards of excellence for two works in this month's 6th World Federation of Miniaturists Exhibition and Conference in Johannesburg.

She is the only artist to receive two awards, which goes some way to salve headaches caused by sending works to the four-yearly event.

"I submitted six entries before the August deadline. As advised I sent them via courier, but the parcel arrived in South Africa with one work lost in transit and another with a broken convex glass."

After many emails trying to discover how the damage happened, she decided to post another picture and replacement glass.

"Thankfully these arrived safely, but it was a very expensive experience," she said.

The award-winning works are both Beamish subjects: Leaving the Pit Village and 1871 Head Wrightson, Coffee Pot No 1, the latter with replacement glass.

The exhibition at Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg runs from February 16-21.