A Cheltenham photographer has snapped up a prestigious award by winning Fuji's News Picture of the Year contest.

Alex Severn submitted his picture as part of the National Council for the Training of Journalists photography course at a Sheffield college.

The picture that caught the judges' attention was of deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the scene of the Selby train crash.

Alex, who now works for the Gloucestershire Echo, said: "I'm shocked and thrilled to win. I really didn't expect it at all."

His former head of photojournalism Paul Delmar said: "This is a fantastic achievement, especially considering the standard of work was so high."

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