A KEEN amateur photographer has snapped up first prize in a competition designed to capture the heart of Worcester.

Maureen Ovington, who lives in the Henwick area of the city, won the competition called Called Through the Lens organised by retirement homes developer McCarthy and Stone as part of the promotions surrounding its Francis Court project in St George's Square.

There were scores of entries featuring Worcester Cathedral, the city’s signature narrow streets and an abundance of picturesque autumn and winter scenes. But standing out from the competition was the photograph taken by Mrs Ovington of a frosty scene overlooking the River Severn.

She said: "I have lived in Worcester for more than 50 years, and have been a keen amateur photographer for about 20 years. I always have my camera stashed in my pocket ready to snap away. The inspiration for this shot was quite simple really; I was enjoying a walk alongside the river on a frosty day and just happened to be passing the scene at the time. I thought the shot really encapsulated Worcester in the winter perfectly. I usually use my snaps to make cards and photo books for family and friends and sometimes DVDs for charity. I’m absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the winner, it was such a lovely surprise when I found out.”

Mrs Ovington has been awarded £100, while her winning photograph will be displayed in the Francis Court show complex, for homeowners and guests to enjoy. Two runners up, Phil Macdonell and Garth Williams, who depicted a beautiful autumn scene and Worcester Cathedral respectively, also received £50 each.