THERE was praise from the judges for the standard of local entries in this year’s Rotary Young Photographer competition, giving the judges a difficult task.

The theme was “Through My Eyes” for all three categories - junior aged 7-10 years, intermediate aged 11-13 years and senior aged 14-17.

The competition was open to all schools and colleges, home educated children and other groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides, or community Interact.

The winners of the local heat, organised by Boniface Rotary Club of Crediton, go on to the District competition with those winners going to the national final.

Each had to submit a portfolio of three photographs, colour or black and white. The winners’ photographs would be on show at the Volunteer Expo early in May.

Local heat winners were: Juniors - 1 Mercedes Grossett (10), 2 Polly Ayre (9), 3 James Cooper (10) all from Morchard Bishop Primary School.

Intermediate - 1 Lois Wood, 2 Jack Boundy, 3 Abigail Moule all from Chulmleigh Community College.

Senior - 1 Charlie Roper, 2 Hollie Seward, 3 Ruby Chudley, all from Queen Elizabeth’s School.

Judges were Rotarians Paul Butt, Barry Shears and Peter Budd, a member of Crediton Photography Club who takes photographs for the “Colebrooke Bell” parish magazine. He has been fascinated by photography from a child.

They had been impressed by the quality and liked the dynamism in the entries, the imagination. They said it was obvious that quite a lot of thought had gone into the work.

The juniors especially had really made an effort, their work had been brilliant. The Rotary Club locally has been running the competition for six years, seeing the number of entries grow and grow with about 80 this year.

It was hoped the number of entries would continue to grow with more schools taking part next year.