Photographer Paul Nicholls of the Gloucester Citizen has been awarded a top prize, beating competition from fellow professionals in the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire area.

The fifth Geoff Benger Memorial Awards were held in Bristol, where Paul picked up the trophy for best portfolio.

One of Paul's more bizarre pictures showed a jackdaw chasing a rat in St Michael's Square, Gloucester.

Paul said: "It was an unusual sight and I took the photo almost by accident, I was walking to another job at the time and it just happened right in front of me.

"I was delighted to win best portfolio and beat off stiff opposition from other photographers around the region who all produce top quality work."

To see the winning portfolio - including the jackdaw picture - click here.

Simon Pezzy, a colleague at the Citizen, organised the awards event with Mikal Ludlow, deputy picture editor of the Gloucestershire Echo.

Mike Cranmer, picture editor of the Western Morning News, judged the competition, with more than 250 photographs submitted from about 30 photographers.