AMATEUR snappers walking in the shoes of a 20th century photographer renowned for capturing the essence of Exmoor have been praised for their high standard of work.

Alfred Vowles devoted more than 40 years of his life to recording the scenery, events and people of Exmoor and was said to be as synonymous with the imagery of the area as R.D Blackmore's Lorna Doone was to its literature.

And this week the winners of a bi-annual photographic competition in his memory were announced.

The event is run by the Exmoor Society, which was given a trophy to hand out by the Vowles family with the aim of inspiring future generations to capture the essence of Exmoor through photography.

The competition attracted a large number of entries from across the South West and the overall winner was Ray Yardley of Stoke Canon, near Exeter.

His 'Banks of the River Barle at Tarr Steps' impressed judges with its composition, depth of colour and clever use of light.

Other winners were Jennifer Rowlandson from Stoodleigh for her entry, 'The clapper bridge at Upton' and Michael Julian from Montecute who took the people at work category with his 'Working Party at Dunster Castle.'

But judges praised the continuing high standard of all the entries.

The Exmoor Society, which holds Alfred Vowles' early photographic images at its library in Dulverton, presented the prizes to the winners at a ceremony at Porlock Visitor Centre.

Vice chairman Christopher Whinney said: "The competition lends itself to one of the aims of the society which is to inspire people to recognise and to capture Exmoor's beauty.

"Many entrants expressed movingly about what attracted them to Exmoor's landscape, not only through their photographs but also in written comments."

All the entries will be on display at the visitor centre until Easter, with opening hours from 10am to 1pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

Pictured with Mr Whinney (left) are competition winners Ray Yardley, Jennifer Rowlandson and Michael Julian.

Photo: Steve

Guscott