A Workington photographer's snap of a sunset over the Solway Firth has scooped third in the country's largest maritime photography competition.

Paul Smith, 47, of Victoria Road, clinched third place in the 10th annual Wish You Were Here amateur competition, which is run by Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky and the Sunday Express.

His photograph of the sun setting over the Solway Firth from Harrington Harbour, taken on a Nikon D600 camera, beat more than 700 entries to win a bottle of Old Pulteney 12-year-old whisky.

A photographer for more than 30 years in his spare time away from his career as a locksmith, Paul said he was "extremely happy" to be recognised.

He added: "It's just a hobby for me, these days anybody and everybody is a photographer.

"I managed to capture a beautiful angle of one of the locals as the sun was going down.

"It was the colours of it that drew me to it and the reflections, there were quite a lot of reds and pinks in there.

"It was one I'd taken a few weeks earlier, somebody had mentioned the competition on Facebook and I thought it would be ideal for it.

"My main interest is in landscapes but I also gravitate towards sports because my daughter's into that.

"It’s the first time I’ve won anything, so I am especially looking forward to enjoying a dram of Old Pulteney to celebrate."

Margaret Mary Clarke, senior brand manager for Old Pulteney, said: "This year Paul’s photograph impressed the judges; we loved the beautiful colours and the stunning reflection of the sky on the beach. Congratulations to Paul."

Some of the hundreds of entries Paul beat off to place in the competition included shots of surfers, sunsets and wildlife on the country's coastline.

To see more of Paul's photographs, visit his online portfolio at jpsmith.smugmug.com.