DOUBLE winner Stuart Kerr walked away with two awards from Poole Harbour Commissioners’ photography competition.

The semi-professional photographer, who works for Sunseeker, won the professional photographers’ category and was chosen overall winner at the annual open evening.

He won £350-worth of Castle Cameras vouchers for winning his section and his photo taken in Poole Harbour at night won the judges’ vote on the evening and a £500 prize.

His photo was judged against three other finalists – under-21 winner Charlotte Miller, Karl Dean’s wildlife snap and Steve Beard’s water activities. All presented with framed portraits of their winning pictures.

The Daily Echo backed competition, which set out to celebrate the vibrant harbour, has been running on the letters page for the past four months.

Each month a different theme has enticed readers to submit their photos covering water activities, under 21s, wildlife and professional photographers.

“I was completely shocked when they called out my name as the overall winner of the competition. It was a complete surprise,” said Stuart.

“I noticed the competition running in the paper and I have so many photos of the harbour that I thought I would give it a go.”

Jim Stewart, chief executive of PHC, said: “The photographic competition has been a huge success.

“Over four months we have received more than 200 photos of the harbour, whether it’s been ferries arriving, windsurfing or kitesurfing, commercial port activity, or the variety of wildlife that inhabits the surrounding islands.

“It’s been fantastic going through each category and judging all the photos and seeing the diversity of the harbour represented.

“PHC is committed to protecting the special natural features of the harbour, which is the largest in Europe.

“Its diversity makes it a challenging environment to manage but its future is of utmost importance to everyone.”