Winchester Photographic Society's monthly print and slide competition attracted a near-record entry for judging by Ian Bigg, from Highcliffe and Infinity Camera Club.

He praised the quality of both prints and slides, many of which he said he enjoyed for their originality.

He greatly admired "Turkal Bridge", by Carol Richardson, which he awarded first place in the beginners' black and white prints. Pat Crook came second, Hazel Stock third and Tim Spencer was highly commended. A most unusual and intriguing print by Graham Dew won the advanced class and there was also considerable praise for Geoff Kelland in second place and Alex Fyfe in third. Jean Wheeler was highly commended.

"Bobble Fountain" was a clear winner for Carol Richardson in the beginners' colour prints. Andrew Spencer was second and Dave Byatt third. Two entrants, Paul Chandler and Brenda Phillips were highly commended.

There was a good standard of entries in the beginners' slides class, but "Empire Sunset2, by Steve Hodder, was decisively chosen as the winner with Pat Crook taking second and third. David Edwards was highly commended.

The advanced slides class attracted the largest entry. Philip George, with "Red and Gold2, was a clear winner with Lynn Murnaghan second with an unusual picture, "Skylight". Dave Wilson was third and was also highly commended along with Peter Geldard and Barbara Lambert.

Carol Watson, president, congratulated Alex Fyfe on the acceptance of three monochrome and three colour prints in the Southampton International Exhibition and winning the first round of a competition in Digital Photography magazine.