A Manchester Evening News photographer has beaten competition from around the world to take home a prestigious award.

Mark Waugh was handed first prize in the arts category of the fourth annual Press Photographer’s Year competition.

The scheme offers prizes across 16 categories to any snapper working either in or for the UK media.

A grand total of 323 photographers submitted 7,788 entries from countries as far afield as Thailand, India, China and throughout Europe.

One of Mark’s winning pictures (below) shows ‘Skull Section – 1489′, one of ten drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci exhibited at the Manchester Art Gallery to celebrate Prince Charles’ 60th birthday last year.

Among the other winners were Daniel Berehulak, who won last year’s main prize, Clive Mason, Warren Little and Peter Macdiarmid – all of picture agency Getty Images.

Peter’s October 2008 image below of a broker on ICAP’s dealing floor in London was part of his winning entry in the news folio category.

Other prize winners came from the Guardian, Daily Mail and the BBC.

From the submitted entries 146 have been chosen for an exhibition, which opened over the weekend at London’s National Theatre, and runs until 31 August.

The prize giving and a private viewing is being held next Monday for entrants.