A STARTLED water vole in the River Meon and heather glowing in the morning sun at Stedham Common, near Midhurst, are just two of the stunning scenes awarded prizes in this year’s South Downs National Park annual photo competition.

Into The Mistic, a breathtaking composition capturing a runner jogging into the mist-covered hills at Amberley Mount, West Sussex, by Andrew Gambling, took first place in the popular photography contest, which attracted more than 170 entries.

The runner-up prize for the main category went to Mark Couper for his exceptional image of the Stedham Common Sunrise, in West Sussex. Third place was awarded to Take Flight, a misty scene taken at first light at Steyning Bowl by Lloyd Lane.

First place in the separate wildlife category went to Hare in Wildflower Margin, a picture of a hare munching on leaves in a colourful blanket of wildflowers, taken by Adam Huttly just north of Arundel.

Runner-up in this category was Dick Hawkes with his picture of a Surprised Water Vole. Judges commended the patience of the photographer in capturing an “amazing wildlife shot” as a water vole appears from a burrow on the River Meon in the middle of East Meon.

Vote for your favourite to win the People’s Choice contest online at www.southdowns.gov.uk/PeoplesChoice2020 by January 31.