1. A computer implemented method of processing a bitmap image including at least one shape defined by at least one line, the method comprising: processing the image to form a plurality of boundaries, each said boundary representing an enclosed path, the plurality of boundaries defining at least one enclosed region representing a graphical object; detecting line elements and associated regions in the graphical object; determining line statistics corresponding to at least one of the boundaries of the object based on the detected line elements, the line statistics including a line length parameter based on the combined length of line elements corresponding to said at least one boundary; performing shape recognition on at least one of the boundaries based on said line statistics; and recognising at least one part of the object as a shape and storing a description of the shape.