Leicester Mercury cartoonist Rachael Smith has been nominated for a national comic award.
The 29-year-old announced on Twitter she has been short- listed for a British Comic Award, in the Emerging Talent category.
The artist, who now owns her own illustration business, began drawing for the Mercury three years ago. She tweeted: "Holy moly you guys, I've been short-listed for this year's Emerging Talent category in the British Comic Awards."
Her nomination is for some of her work in the Mercury, including House Party, One Good Thing, Flimsy and Vicky Park.
The illustrator, who graduated with a first class honours fine art degree from De Montfort University in 2006, is one of five artists nominated for the award.
Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony later this year.
The annual awards, now in their third year, will take place on Saturday, November 15.
