When talented photographer Susan Knutsen was growing up she had few friends to play with.

Susan, now 40, was born with Down's syndrome and, despite being part of a large and loving family, children her own age did not play with her.

Her best friend became her niece Gemma, now 17, and they enjoyed many happy times together.

Now Susan, of Keere Street, Lewes, has won a prize in a national photography competition after she took a photo of herself with Gemma.

Her parents, Roald and Pat Knutsen, are thinking of holding an exhibition of her work.

Susan said: "Because I was 'different' I didn't have any friends when I was a child. But then my niece Gemma came along and we have great times together, even though I am 23 years older.

"I like taking photos of people and Gemma. I have taken lots of photos of Gemma. I like making pictures of buildings and children, anything."

Susan won a section of Snap, a nationwide competition organised by learning disabilities charity Mencap, called "Love and friendship, relationships and family life".

Her work is now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Susan began taking photographs 20 years ago when a Japanese visitor gave her a camera.

Since then she has shot dozens of rolls of film and produced several calendars, which have raised thousands of pounds for charity. She has eight cameras and has recently started experimenting with digital pictures.

Roald, 69, said: "She's very good at architectural photos. I suppose it's because we take her out a lot. Somewhere buried inside Susan is this creative ability to take something from what she sees. That's her gift."

Roald and Pat, who have three other children, said it was difficult when Susan was young to find organisations to aid her creativity.

Pat said: "It's totally different now. I think the younger children are more integrated in nurseries. The opportunities for young ones now are massively improved.

"When Susan was born we tried to find places to go but all they did was just keep them occupied. There were not the facilities to encourage them."