'Iconic' Essex images captured in photo contest

The winner of the Essex Day Photography Competition was Maldon Saltmarsh, by Mark Caldon

A "beautiful" image of a wrecked boat in a saltmarsh has won top prize in a photo contest.

Maldon Saltmarsh was shot by Mark Caldon on the River Blackwater and went on to win the Essex Day Photography Competition.

People taking part were asked to take an image to "capture iconic Essex locations and landmarks", Essex County Council said.

Run by Explore Essex and Visit Essex, it was to celebrate its patron saint St Cedd.

Runner-up was Mike Pountney's photo of the Byrhtnoth statue in Maldon's Promenade Park

Conservative councillor Mark Durham, cabinet member for arts, heritage and culture, and chairman of Visit Essex, said: "We were delighted to receive such a high number of entries, many of them were of an extremely high quality and showcased the best that Essex has to offer.

"The judges panel had a very difficult choice to make, but the winning entry was a beautiful image that stood out."

Third place went to Dr Edmund Ranasinghe with his image of Mountnessing Windmill in a snowstorm