Winners receive prizes as budding young photographers click away in Cheddar competition

The Space, a Cheddar Valley-based charity providing support to children and young people in the area, was delighted to celebrate its first photography competition in Mental Health Awareness Week where this year's theme was "nature".

Doreen Smith, operations director for The Space, said: "We were absolutely delighted with the number of entries from young people aged four to 18 years.

"The standard was quite breath-taking, and our judges had a real challenge choosing winners and runners up in our two categories.

"Thanks must go to our judges from the Arts Quarter, Jim Skinner from the Rotary Club of Mendip and Tim Lethaby of Cheddar Nub News, and our sponsors Hillier Garden Centre Cheddar, Bristol Corinthians Yacht Club at Cheddar Watersports and The Gorge Outdoors for providing prizes. We will look forward to running the competition next year."

In the Four to Nine Years category, the winner was Tian Mazi-Thomas for Hiding in the Rain.

The judges said: "This was excellent, well focussed on the stamens and the snail. Lovely, blurred effect of the flower and contrasts of colour. Great focus on the snail and inner flower and glowing soft focus around the edges."

Runners up were Henry Munday for The Moon at Dusk Shining Through Springtime Blossom (the judges said: "This shows great imagination. Make sure on a photo like this that it is in focus. Lovely deep colours and composition.") and Tommy Boothman for Pinky Winky (the judges said: "A good splash of colour and use of close-up photography. Lovely texture and colour.")

In the 10-18 Years category, the winner was Poppy Day for Golden Forest.

The judges said: "Good title to an excellent photo, capturing the light of the late afternoon sun and, like a good painting, your eye is drawn along the road. Magical light, Making feel you want to be in the picture."

The runner-up was Hayden Leigh Rowe for Kermit, and the judges said: "Well-centred on the frog, excellent contrast of light and shade, a nice clear photo. Lovely depth and texture."