1st - Ian Glendinning - Curlew.web[Photo credit: © Ian Glendinning]

The contest aimed to encourage people to explore the countryside and was organised by The Sill, a partnership between Northumberland National Park Authority and YHA (England and Wales).

The winner was named as Ian Glendinning with an entry entitled ‘Curlew silhouetted against the sunset in the Coquet Valley’ (above).

Glendinning, a 57-year-old retired police officer, said: ‘The Northumberland National Park is a fantastic place to take photographs, with a wide variety of landscape and wildlife opportunities.

‘This photograph was captured when I saw the curlew from quite a distance away, and I had to crawl a long way through some very wet ground to get the picture. I’m pleased I made the effort.’

Terry Eyre - Rocks.webPhoto credit: © Terry Eyre

Ian Cook - Hadrian's Wall from Sewingshields.webPhoto credit: © Ian Cook

Karen Atkinson - A Golden Gap Moment.web

Photo credit: © Karen Atkinson

Judges included wildlife photographer and filmmaker Cain Scrimgeour, who said: ‘It was brilliant to see a large variety of entries from every stretch of Northumberland, celebrating the beauty of the wildlife, landscapes, landmarks and dark skies.’

Fellow judge Jude Leitch, from Northumberland Tourism, added: ‘The variety of Northumberland’s spectacular landscapes always amazes and this was amply demonstrated by all the entries in The Sill’s photography competition.

‘The county’s wild and rugged side, as well as its softer, tranquil beauty, were presented often in surprising and creative ways.

‘All the entrants should be congratulated on the way their shots highlighted the real uniqueness of our outdoors.’