THREE startling images have scooped top spot for a camera club in a photography competition.

The overall best image in the competition shows the bustling centre of Hong Kong in stark black and white by Paul Laycock.

With only a touch more colour, Jan Arnold's picture A Good Read was also a high scoring effort.

And a man caught seemingly unawares in his country cottage sums up the title of Peter Merrick's photo, Excuse Me.

Southwick Camera Club won first place in the annual Regnum Crouch print competition, competing against eight other clubs from across West Sussex.

Out of the six images submitted by the club, these three were given top scores.

The judge felt Mr Laycock's picture was not only technically good but also told a story and the more he looked into the image the more he could see.

Club chairman John Ellis said: "It is wonderful to see our members' work being appreciated by the judge, especially given the high quality of all the images presented on the day."

The club meets at 7.30pm most Thursday evenings between September and May.

For more information visit southwickcameraclub.co.uk.