Nottingham Evening Post lensman Dominic Lipinski has won first prize and a £6,000 National Geographic holiday in a national photographic competition.

The trainee, who has been in his job less than 18 months, beat hundreds of other entries in the Everyday photographic competition, run by Northcliffe Newspapers.

He impressed judges with a portfolio of photographs taken at Nottingham’s Aspley Wood School, which showed the spirit of its pupils with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

One of Dominic’s winning images

The 23-year-old collected his prize at an exhibition of all the shortlisted photographs at The Bridge in London.

And as well as scooping a prize for himself, Dominic’s winning pictures also secured extra funding for the school as it will receive the proceeds from the sale of shortlisted pictures.

Dominic said: “I couldn’t believe it when it was announced that I had won! I was thrilled just to be shortlisted and didn’t expect to get any further.”

He said the idea to photograph the youngsters came after he visited the school last year.

Dominic said: “It was a story about the new hydrotherapy pool; the kids were great to work with so I was keen to go back. I spent a full day there. They were brilliant to photograph. I only had to set up a couple of shots.

“It’s great the school will get the proceeds from the sale of the photographs. I’m sure they will find a very good use for the money.”

Dominic (back, centre) with Aspley Wood staff and parents. Pic: Samantha Boswell.

Paul Gillis from the Western Daily Press collected second prize and £1,000 of Jessops vouchers and Anna Draper from the Lincolnshire Echo picked up third place and £500 of vouchers.

Gareth Williams from the Exeter Express and Echo and Clint Randall from the Western Daily Press received special mentions.

A gallery of photographs from the competition is now online at www.theeveryday.co.uk