Every one of the 60 faces in a new display at Canterbury’s Beaney art museum tells a story. The pictures are the best work from the 2,435 international contenders for last year’s Taylor Wessing photographic portrait prize.

Exceptionally refreshing, the images range from famous faces to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.

Actress and model Lily Cole, ex-England footballer Sol Campbell and Professor Mary Beard are just a number of household names to be included in the exhibition.

The winning photograph from last year’s portrait prize, showing mud-splattered jockey Katie Walsh, takes pride of place. It was taken by Spencer Murphy who studied at the Kent Institute of Art and Design.

Georgina Glover, Canterbury council’s executive member for museums, said: “It is a collection of truly striking images that demonstrates contemporary photography at its very best, and that makes it an exhibition not to be missed.”

The Beaney is the only venue in the South East outside of London to host the exhibition, which is in its Special Exhibitions Room.

There is no entry charge but visitors are asked to pay what they can, with all contributions going towards the collections and future programming at the Beaney. The exhibition runs until Sunday, November 2.

Go to www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney for details or call 01227 862162.