I love it when a plan comes together...

On February 16, I wrote a blog about a photograph which won the Big Snap competition in the Best of Darlington Awards.

The evocative picture, entitled High Row in The Fog, was taken by Darlington council officer Pete Roberts.

Helen Logan, of Recognition Public Relations, got in touch to suggest that the picture should become Darlington's official photograph of 2009 and sold for charity.

Lo and behold, I've just had a visit from Darlington Partnership chief executive Steve Rose, announcing that he had a present for me.

Given that it's my birthday (47 and going downhill fast), I hobbled down to front reception, anticipating something expensive.

Inside an envelope was "High Row In The Fog" turned into a card which is going on sale in aid of St Teresa's Hospice.

Hot off the press, Steve reckons it's the first card sold and it looks fantastic. We'll be publishing a story shortly all about the card and how to buy one.

Congratulations to Pete Roberts - and thanks to Steve Rose for being so thoughtful.

Oh, and by the way, he didn't even know it was my birthday.