Talented photographers working for newspapers across Northern Ireland have been recognised at the Vodafone Northern Ireland Press Photographer of the Year Awards.

Snappers from the province gathered at Belfast’s Hilton Hotel to see 23 photographers pick up cash prizes in various categories, including Mark McCormick from Sunday Life who picked up the top prize of Vodafone NI Press Photographer of the Year 2005.

Other winners included Thomas McMullan from the North Belfast News who was named Vodafone NI Provincial Press Photographer of the Year, and Tony Hendron from the Portadown Times, who took first prize in the People category.

This was Vodafone Northern Ireland’s third year to sponsor the awards which once again saw an extension of the categories to include a business category and a rugby award, and this year it attracted almost 550 pictures.

The awards ceremony was compered by BBC presenter Christine Bleakley and among those attending was Tommy Bowe, Ulster Rugby’s Personality of the Year.

A full list of winners is below:

Vodafone NI Press Photographer of the Year
Winner: Mark McCormick, Sunday Life
Runner Up: William Cherry, Pacemaker Press International

Vodafone NI Provincial Press Photographer of the Year
Winner: Thomas McMullan, North Belfast News
Runner Up: Mal McCann, Andersonstown News

News category
1st: Mark McCormick, Sunday Life
2nd: Mark McCormick, Sunday Life
3rd: William Cherry, Pacemaker Press Intl
4th: Hugh Russell, Irish News