THIS stunning picture of an owl hunting for its prey snapped by Wisbech’s Kevin Wooby stood out from the crowd to win in this year’s regional spring heat of the WWT Photography Competition.

Alan Payne’s photographic masterpieces entitled Flooded Fen and Click were also among the winning East of England entries which will now make it through to the contest’s national final.

Mr Payne, a teacher at the College of West Anglia, scooped his awards in the People and Wildlife and Wetland Landscape categories.

“I have never entered my photographs into a competition before,” he said. “I am very surprised to win and very encouraged.”

Meanwhile electrician Mr Wooby secured more than 200 votes for his image, saying that the WWT had reignited his passion for photography.

WWT Welney centre manager Julie Ward said: “I have been amazed at the standard of the photography in this competition and hope that many more amateur photographers will be encouraged to enter.”

The organisation is now encouraging entries for its summer heats before the closing date of August 31.

Mr Payne and Mr Wooby will go through to this autumn’s national finals judged by BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, where they could win a three-day birds of prey workshop in the Czech Republic courtesy of Tantra Photography.

As winners of their regional heat, they have already won a place each on a photography course held at WWT Slimbridge.