THIS “hypnotic and contemplative” image of sand dunes has scooped the top prize in this year’s Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

Benjamin Graham, from Bognor, beat thousands of entries to win £10,000 for his shot of low tide at West Wittering, near Chichester.

Mr Graham said he had been drawn to the ambiguity of the scene.

He said: “As well as minimal simplicity, I particularly liked the indeterminate scale of the image.

“The double s-curve could be two metres long or two thousand. It was actually about 20.”

Awards founder Charlie Waite said: “When at the coast we often just stand and gaze out to sea and seem to gain some kind of spiritual well-being from doing so.

“This image suggests the same emotional experience.”