Two Middlesbrough Evening Gazette photographers are celebrating after scooping top photographic prizes in separate competitions.

Dave Charnley (right) collected the top prize of £500 in the North-east round of the National Farmer's Union British Farming photography competition, while colleague Doug Moody has been highly commended at the Commonwealth Photographic Awards.

Dave beat competition from 80 entrants with his picture of a sheep silhouetted against a dramatic stormy sky in Stokesley (below).

He said: "I was out doing another job when I spotted the sheep perched on the hill huddled together. There was a chink of light and the composition lent itself.

"Like with any competition I thought my pictures were okay but you never know what the judges are looking for.

"The sheep picture is a bit abstract and I wasn't sure about entering it, but now I'm glad I did."

Meanwhile chief photographer Doug was highly commended at the Commonwealth Photographic Awards for his picture of villagers from Stainton celebrating after winning more than £80,000 on the Lottery.

Doug (left) collected his £100 prize and a certificate during a ceremony in London, where he met award winners from across the globe.

Doug said: "It was interesting to meet people from across the Commonwealth, and it was great to be recognised.

"It was one of those things where you put a picture in and hope.

"I'd forgotten about it until I got an e-mail to say I had been highly commended."

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