THE three winning and three highly commended photos inspired by the South Downs National Park photo competition are now up for a public vote to determine the ‘people’s choice’ winner.

The theme for the 2017/18 competition was ‘Growing Places’, and Ron De’Ath’s view from Butser Hill was judged to be the winner by the SDNP’s panel, which included Steve Watkins, editor of ‘Outdoor Photography’ magazine.

“Ron has subverted what could easily have been a conventional harvest shot – making the unusual choice to frame the picture vertically and leave out the sky entirely,”

Mr Wtakins said. “The result is a wonderful winding journey through chalk grassland, ploughed earth and woodland, past farm house and field margins and on to freshly harvested crops, leaving no doubt that people live and work in this landscape.”

Fellow judges were:–

•Finn Hopson – a local photographer and gallery owner

•Rachael Talibart – winner of the ‘Sunday Times Magazine’s’ Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016

•Nick Heasman – countryside and policy manager for the South Downs National Park Authority and

•Doug Jones – a member of the SDNPA.

A moody crowd of cattle won second place for Dominic Vacher , which included three of the Sussex red cattle, a traditional rare breed, which have been grazed in this part of the country since the Bronze Age.

‘Rolling Down’ won third place for Simon Verrall, taken on Barlavington Down in West Sussex.

The three winning shots join three highly commended photos to go forward for the people’s choice.

To see the gallery and vote before the deadline of midday on Monday, January 29, go to: www.southdowns. gov.uk and follow the link.