A beautiful image of a little egret ruffling its feathers and a stunning landscape of the South Downs are the youth winners of a popular photo competition.

The pictures were praised in the annual challenge set by South Downs National Park.

Sixteen-year-old Billy Evans-Freke, who attends Bhasvic in Hove and lives near Ringmer, captured the wonderful shot Golden Egret as the sun broke through the clouds at Cuckmere Haven.

The theme of the 2022/2023 competition was Near And Far and judges were looking for pictures that captured the National Park in intricate detail, as well as sweeping shots of the landscape.

Billy, who wins a Forest Segway experience at Go Ape, said: “Wow - I can’t believe it. This is my first competition win so it really means a lot.”

In the 11 to 17 category, 13-year-old Felix Walker-Nix submitted two photographs that were highly commended, including an image of a hare at Chilcomb.

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Nine-year-old Dylan Coakes won the ten years and under category years and under category with some macrophotography showcasing the chalk beneath our feet.

The chalk of the South Downs was formed by marine deposits laid down when this part of Britain was covered by warm, tropical seas between 65 and 100 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period.

Dylan, who lives in Lancing and goes to Lancing College Prep, said: “I didn’t think I would win, I’m really excited. I love taking photographs and I love nature too.”

Dylan has won a den-building kit.