AMATEUR photographer Richard Wood has captured a coveted prize with his technical expertise and artistic flair.

His photograph, entitled Last Dance, achieved top marks in the print section of the annual three-way photographic contest between Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

And this helped the county to an overall win, its seventh in nine years, in this hotly contested competition.

Mr Wood, who has been a member of the Worcestershire Camera Club for six years, has a passion for tango dancing and took a photo of a painting of two tango dancers.

"Although I am not a dancer, I like the feel of the tango. I have a painting of them in my hall and, when I was practising with a new digital camera, I took a shot of it."

Mr Wood, of Priory Road, Malvern, said he played around with it to produce different effects and then superimposed a water scene so it looks as though the two dancers are in a final passionate dance as they sink to a watery end.

"I am always pleased when my photographs do well. I like exhibiting my work. It is nice to share it with other people."

Top marks were also awarded to Nick Gray in the slide section for his work entitled Late Awakening.

Overall, Worcestershire came top scoring 536 points, Gloucestershire was second with 519 points and Herefordshire came last with 496 points.