A SOUTHAMPTON woman is celebrating after being selected as the winner of a photography competition.

Rebecca Jones has been crowned the winner of McCarthy Stone’s recent photography competition.

Run by the leading manager and developer of retirement communities behind the Hampton Place development in Shirley, the competition called for local residents to share photographs of their favourite scenery, wildlife and landscapes in Southampton and the surrounding areas taken on their daily walks during lockdown.

Rebecca’s image entitled ‘Remarkable Reflection’, which was taken at Janesmoore Pond in the New Forest, was chosen as the winner and her photograph will now be displayed in the new show complex at Hampton Place for all to see.

Rebecca, who was awarded £200 for her winning photograph, says: “I feel very lucky to live in Southampton as the city is filled with so much beauty and nature that we can all explore on our daily walks.

"Lockdown has certainly given me the opportunity to enjoy spending more time outside in our local area, as well as work on my photography skills.

“I bought my first camera for my 18th birthday and since then, photography has been a real passion of mine. I can really see the improvement in my photos from when I first picked up a camera.

"I was delighted to find out that my capture of Janesmoore Pond had been chosen as the winning photo, and I am looking forward to seeing it hanging pride of place at Hampton Place.”