WINCHESTER woman Catherine Skinner has won an award at an international photography competition.

The mother-of-two, of Fairfield Road, scooped a Top Ten Photographer of the Year Award at the Guild of Professional Photographers.

Mrs Skinner was ranked sixth in the Children, Family and Lifestyle category.

“I am so proud of this award, it’s a really tough competition and to come in the top ten is such a fantastic achievement,” she said. “I am really glad to be able to put outdoor family photography in Hampshire on the map because we have such amazing opportunities and gorgeous locations for photography.

“I believe children are really photographed at their best outdoors, playing in open spaces – let them explore, investigate, run, jump and climb. Allow them to be themselves and you can’t fail to get beautiful family pictures.”

Steve Thirsk, director of the Guild, added: “[I am] both proud and delighted that Catherine has achieved this recognition after 12 months of submitting the highest quality images. The Guild has very demanding standards when judging photographic competitions.

“The judging is undertaken by a panel of internationally recognised experts from a variety of photographic backgrounds, so Catherine should be delighted with her extraordinary achievement.”