PHOTOGRAPHERS from Mersea Island are celebrating their success after their snaps were recognised in a special competition.

The winners of the National Historic Ships UK’s 2019 Photography Competition were announced in London.

A trio of snappers from West Mersea scooped prizes at the awards.

Stacey Belbin won the People’s Choice award, voted for the by the public, for her image of Trinity’s Little Helper.

The picture was also highly commended in the faces of the sea category.

Hannah Cunliffe, director of National Historic Ships, said of Stacey’s winning entry: “The vivid colours and the appealing nature of this image really impressed the attention of the judging panel and we were delighted to see it also triumph in the People’s Choice award.”

Stacey, who is a member of the Gazette’s camera club, also won the Wish You Were Here category for her image called Bradwell Balcony.

Gazette:

Fellow photographer Peter Pangbourne was highly commended for his picture ss Great Britain in the Our Historic Vessels category.

Reminder at First Light by Shaun Mills was highly commended in the People’s Choice award.

Sandy Miller, from Chelmsford, was also highly commended in the a True Classic category for her image of the Priscilla CK437 at Rowhedge Regatta.

A spokesman for National Historic Ships said: “The competition was strong this year with outstanding submissions from a wide range of entrants.

“The judging panel was delighted to see both professional and amateur photographers represented, although to ensure fairness these details are not disclosed when selecting the best photographs.”

At the same event the Ross Revenge Restoration Group won the Marsh Volunteer Award which recognises outstanding volunteers in the conservation or operation of historic vessels in the UK.

The historic pirate radio ship, which was home to Radio Caroline, is moored in the river Blackwater and broadcasts radio to Essex and Suffolk.

The team received a prize of £1,000.

To find out more visit

nationalhistoricships.org.uk.