A RECORD number of entries have been submitted as part of an annual photography competition on Portland.

The Island of Portland Heritage Trust Annual Photographic Competition, celebrating its 30th anniversary, has received 708 entries in a variety of categories.

Ahead of the public exhibition, a number of guests were invited to a private screening on Friday to view the photos.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Kate Wheller, and Mayor of Portland, Rob Hughes, both attended.

Cllr Wheller said the exhibition was 'well worth a visit'.

She said: "I'm overawed by it to be honest. The number of entries they've had from across Dorset and further afield is terrific.

"The range of subjects is extraordinary and the quality of the photographs are absolutely stunning."

Mayor of Portland, Rob Hughes, presented prizes to category winners on Sunday afternoon.

He said: "I'm really pleased by the quality and the diversity of the images people have taken.

"It's the first time I've come to this exhibition. Luckily, I haven't had to judge. That would be a hard job."

Ian Brooke, who judged this year's competition, said he was impressed by this year's standard of entries.

He said: "The standard of some of the pictures here is way above what I could do.

"It's taken me over two hours to judge them. I have judged photography competitions before but this is the first time I've done this one.

"Being asked to do something like this is an honour."

Mr Brooke selected Rob Vincent's 'Circus Skills' as Best in Show. Mr Vincent, a member of the Portland Camera Club, came first in the novice category.

Mr Brooke said the picture had everything. He said: "It's got movement, colour flowing and interest."

Sean Hepburn received the Peter Trim Award for his photo 'Harvest Moon'. The award was judged by Philip George, crown bailiff and local agent. 

Mr George considered the photo the best for depicting the spirit of Portland. 

Meanwhile, Brad Matthews was crowned the winner of the Profolab Trophy for most points collected.

This year's event was co-organised by Ann Trim and Penny Piddock. The competition was first started by Ann's late husband, Peter.

Mrs Trim, chairwoman of the Island of Portland Heritage Trust, said: "Peter would have been very proud.

"He was a very keen photographer. His pictures sold all over the world. He used to take pictures of Portland to sell to raise money for this place, to keep the Heritage Trust going.

"This is our main fundraiser of the year. This year it's a record entry. It's broken the previous record by 80 prints."

FULL LIST OF RESULTS

Portland Category

1) Sean Hepburn - Lighthouse Lantern

2) Richard Burns - Bill Sunset

3) Brad Matthews - The Bill at Portland

4) HC John Osborne - Portland Harbour at Sunset

5) HC Tim Downton - Portland Sunset

Natural History Category

1) Tim Downton - Blue Tit

2) G T Orton - Majestic

3) Richard Vale - Beautiful Demoiselle

4) HC Spike Piddock - Anemone Fish on Bald Anemone (Orange)

5) HC Sam Fry - Magnificent Stag

Life Studies Category

1) Hayley Roberts - Sun Chilled

2) Paul Clarke - Well, At Least I Survived!

3) Sean Hepburn - Mrs Mop

4) HC Helen Jones - Rain on My Parade

5) HC Richard Vale - Mother and Child

Seascape/Landscape

1) Stephen Lee - Volcanic Dune, Stokksnes

2) Sean Hepburn - Autumn Sunset

3) Jane Lee - Arctic Beach

4) HC Penny Piddock - Working Quarry, Portland

5) HC Richard Vale - Beauty from Disaster

General/Open Category

1) Richard Vale - Tulips

2) Richard Burns - Chapel Sunset

3) Brad Matthews - Fresh Mackerel

4) HC Sean Hepburn - Pulpit Sparkles

5) HC John Greenbank - Remembrance

Creative Category

1) Brad Matthews - Zip It

2) Tim Downton Red Arrows

3) Penny Piddock - Magic in the Forest

4) HC Sean Hepburn - Tikka

5) HC Ted Toop - The Hunter

Transport Category

1) G T Orton - Flying High

2) Helen Jones - Time Trial

3) Penny Piddock - Not Going Far

4) HC Simon Easton - Jet Ski Acrobatics

5) HC Mick Rose - Vulcan Bomber

Humour Category

1) Mick Rose - Don’t You Just Hate Selfies

2) Brad Matthews - Say It With Flowers

3) Jill Riggs - Mangled

4) HC Tim Downton - Close Up

5) HC Paul Clarke - Come On Then, I’m Ready

Novice Category

1) Rob Vincent - Circus Skills

2) Toni Codd - End of the Day

3) Katy Jones - Metallica, Glastonbury

4) HC Hayley Roberts - Milky Way Over St Catherine’s Chapel

5) HC Cheryl Easton - Hunter, Canberra and Sea Vixen

16 & Under Category

1) Jasmine Jackopson - Cove Under Wave

2) Jane Turnbull - Gary With Flowers

3) Jack Pendlebury - Rock Formations

4) HC Isabel Lydford - Dusk

5) HC Jack Pendlebury - Seagull

Best in Show

Rob Vincent - Circus Skills

Peter Trim Award

Sean Hepburn - Harvest Moon

Profolab Trophy (Most points)

Brad Matthews