A PHOTOGRAPHER has won a national award thanks to his fantastic picture of the Coastguard in action.

Brighton’s Alan Humphries beat more than 800 other entries to win the recreation category in the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society’s national photo competition.

His image depicts a a brave Coastguard officer dangling from a helicopter in a fascinating display.

Picture editors of the i and Sunday Times newspapers commended Mr Humphries’s photography skills at a ceremony in Trinity House, London.

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society chief executive Justin Osmond said: “This year we received an extremely high level of top-quality images that showcased the beauty, industry and people that contribute to the UK’s coastal areas.

“With 2019 being our 180th year, it was amazing to see this celebration of British maritime culture seen from up and down the country.”

The charity provides pensions for those in the fishing industry.

The Argus is running its own photography competition this month.

It is themed around changing seasons and will close on October 16. To join in on the competition and get the chance of seeing your pictures in the paper, join the Argus Camera Club at facebook.com/groups/cameraclubargus