PHOTOGRAPHER Lucy Saggers chronicles life in her North Yorkshire village of Ampleforth in her Of Life & Land exhibition at Lotte Inch Gallery, in Bootham, York.

"Featuring residents, both young and old, going about their everyday lives and work, the photographs are raw, honest and exceptionally beautiful," says Lotte. "The images make what many might consider the mundane, deeply moving and delightfully telling. Each of her photos tells a unique and timeless story.

"Coconut Slice, for example, shows Ampleforth resident Betty Fox serving villagers at her annual coffee morning in aid of St Hilda’s church and her friend Penelope exclaiming. 'Oh, my favourite'. It is the way in which Lucy captures the delight in this simple moment that make her photographs so exceptional."

Coconut Slice, incidentally, made the second round of the prestigious National Portrait Gallery Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Award in 2015 and elsewhere Lucy has been shortlisted for several awards.

"While having always maintained an interest in documentary photography, Lucy's own work has truly only developed in the last few years," says Lotte. "For many years, Lucy worked in conservation and rural development both in Britain and in Africa before settling with her family in Yorkshire, where she earned her photography diploma in 2013.

"Lucy’s photographic style is unhurried and very considered and her use of natural light against her subjects creates very honest and raw images. Her work centres around the daily goings-on of village life with her photographs capturing both the residents and the landscape in a timeless manner."

Of Life & Land will be on show until June 16. Gallery opening hours are Monday, 10am to 5pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm, and at other times by appointment on 01904 848660.