A former Gloucestershire Echo photography apprentice has snapped up five prestigious awards.

Graham Sharpe has been honoured with a professional qualification from the Master Photographers' Association.

He has also gained honours from the national Lightportraiture photographer's group for best individual portrait, best under-10 portrait, best pet portrait and best wedding image.

Graham started his photography career as an apprentice at the Gloucestershire Echo in 1976.

His job as a camera operator meant he dealt with the technical reproduction of photographs.

In 1991 he moved to The Print Works in Staverton as pre-press manager, before starting his own business, Graham Sharpe Photography, in May 2000.

He said: "Awards are nice and it is always gratifying to be recognised by your peers but what is really rewarding is seeing clients react so positively to the work you produce for them.

"I have always wanted to be a professional photographer, even from my teens, and it's great to get this far."

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