Your FREE Mercury calendar has arrived.

Featuring 12 stunning images taken by our readers, this festive freebie showcases the very best of the Dover, Deal and Sandwich area.

On the front is David Tilby’s image, Sunset at Sandown Community Garden which was the winner of the Mercury Photo Competition, launched in October to help us find 12 colourful and vibrant images for the calendar.

Mercury news editor Beth Robson said: "The decision to create the calendar came at the right time and it serves as a well deserved gift to readers.

“2020 has been such a difficult year for all of us, and these beautiful images taken by our readers certainly help banish the Covid blues."

Mr Tilby’s winning image was chosen because it shows off the community garden, a perfect example of how volunteers have worked together to create something beautiful.

Beth added: “In a year that has seen the community really band together for the benefit of others, this breathtaking picture summed it all up and seemed the obvious choice."

As soon as we announced the return of the competition in October, entries flooded in. The standard of which was phenomenal.

"It proved that the district has a great many eye-catching places, but our towns are filled with so many talented people who recognise its beauty."

The winning image was chosen from a short-list that included Paul Sampson's Harvest on Langdon Cliffs and David Stearne's Snow at Dover Castle - both are seasonal show-stoppers.

They represent the months of September and December respectively.

The rest of the photos include: Viking Bay, Sandwich by Susan Clifford, Buckland Paper Mill by Donald Beck, South Foreland Lighthouse by Lee Walker, Dover Castle by Paul Sampson, Flowers at the King's Head by Beverley Birchley, Walmer Castle by Elaine Bryan, Wild flowers at Walmer Beach by Brian Whorlow, Deal Pier Paddleboarder at Sunrise by Craig Brown and Autumn leaves by Peter Weber.

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Click on images below to download

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