A prize-winning photographer revealed it took him 20 shots to get the right image to win a major competition.

Giacomo Marchesi struggled with tricky light conditions to get an iconic evening shot of Ashford’s shared space.

But he won in the 18-plus age category in the Ashford Best Placed in Britain Photo Competition.

He said: “I first thought of taking the picture when I was driving down the shared space at sunset.

“The way the sky stayed bright as night feel, allowing the street light to stand out from the sky, really struck me.

“After about 20 failed shots with misplaced tail lights I got what I was looking for.”

Mr Marchesi, 21, of Smeeth, joined the other winners, George Hinkley and Jamie Bramley to receive their prizes this weekend.

Jamie, 16, from Park Farm, came top in the 12 to 17s category with Nature Blooming, showing her dog Lottie among bluebells.

George Hinkley, nine, also from Park Farm, won in the under-12s group for Moat at Park Farm, showing a favourite fishing spot.

The three received their prizes at The Art Room gallery in North Street, Ashford, on Saturday, which will display theirs and the runner ups’ photos until June 23.

Prizes included Eurostar tickets for Brussels, Paris or Lille and photographic vouchers and £200 in vouchers from the camera and accessories store Jessops.

The winners were chosen after 70 photographs were submitted and the public cast a total 769 votes.

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