A PICTURE of a Marlow pensioner at the very spot where she remembers watching a royal visit in 1926 has earned a young photographer first prize in a photo competition.

Dr Rachel Brown is pictured outside Court Garden where Princess Mary arrived on July 5, 1926 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Crimean war hero and Marlow legend General George Higginson.

The General was a close friend of the Royal Family and he brought the princess to Marlow for the ceremony, to officially hand over Court Garden, along with the estate, later named Higginson Park in his honour.

And 15-year-old Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School pupil Hayley Hunt took first prize for the picture in Marlow Museum’s ‘Memories of Marlow’ contest.

The winning picture is on display alongside a shot of the ceremony itself from 88 years ago, when Marlow historian Dr Brown was just four.

Museum secretary Della Fitzgerald said: “Dr Brown is one of the few people alive who can remember this event and Hayley's photo really captures the spirit of our theme 'Memories of Marlow' and is a worthy winner.”

Hayley won a £55 prize and membership to the Marlow Camera Club.

Other winners include six-year-old Henry Coombs from Marlow Bottom with his black and white 'Portrait of a Barber'.

George Read, aged 7 won a prize with his video of a lifelong Bisham resident discussing the role the river Thames has played in his life.

And 15-year-old Jack Beadlsey from Maidenhead impressed judges with his black and white photograph by the grave of Marlow brewer Colonel Wethered.

Jack recalls his mother’s memories of the smell of hops while playing near the brewery during her childhood.

All of the winning entries can be viewed at Marlow Museum, Court Garden, at weekends from 1pm until 5pm.