YOUNGSTERS in and around Knighton have been lauded for the snapshots they sent in for a nature photography competition.

From January to March, the Rotary Club of Knighton and District called upon budding young photographers, aged six-18, to enter their best photographs in the ‘Nature on your Doorstep’ themed competition.

Rotary club youth coordinator Sheila Smith said: “We were delighted with the response to this event and with the quality of the photographs we received from 18 young photographers in all age groups.

“Everybody gave explanations of why their photos meant so much to them, which aided the judges in their decision-making process.”

The competition closed on March 22 and judges Cathy Jones, Larry Smart and Sheila Smith then had the challenge of choosing the first three places in each age group: 6-11, 12-15 and 16-18. Rotary member Larry Smart said: “The quality of the entries was very good and it was difficult to choose between them, but we are happy with our decisions.”

Every entrant received an appraisal of their photograph and the winning entries were:

6 to 11 years – 1st Grace Gurney (aged 10), 2nd Alice Jones (11), 3rd Seren Preece (10).

12 to 15 years – 1st Robin Fletcher (13), 2nd Alisha Preece (14), 3rd Ruth Petley (12).

16 to 18 years – 1st Christopher Warburton (16), 2nd Christopher Davies (16), 3rd Leon Leese (17).

Christopher Warburton was also the overall winner with his photograph of deer in Mortimer Forest, near Ludlow. Rotary president Margaret Thorp said: “I was asked to choose the overall winner, from the excellent photos, which was difficult.

“However, Christopher’s photograph stood out for me with the atmosphere and movement created by the group of fallow deer.”

In response to his award, Christopher said: “I am thrilled to learn that I won both categories.

“The photo of three female long-haired fallow deer running away from a stag means a lot to me as it was an incredible experience to see these rare deer in Mortimer forest and be able to watch them in their natural habitat. Many thanks again to Knighton Rotary Club for organising this competition.”