'Iconic' Essex images captured in photo contest

Mark Caldon Maldon Saltmarsh, showing a large golden sky and a boat wreck in a marsh.Mark Caldon
The winner of the Essex Day Photography Competition was Maldon Saltmarsh, by Mark Caldon

A "beautiful" image of a wrecked boat in a saltmarsh has won top prize in a photo contest.

Maldon Saltmarsh was shot by Mark Caldon on the River Blackwater and went on to win the Essex Day Photography Competition.

People taking part were asked to take an image to "capture iconic Essex locations and landmarks", Essex County Council said.

Run by Explore Essex and Visit Essex, it was to celebrate its patron saint St Cedd.

Mike Pountney A photo of Byrhtnoth statue in Maldon's Promenade Park, showing a warrior holding up a sword on his right arm and a shield in his left. It is in silhouette with a bench either side, a golden horizon and the Blackwater estuary in front, with two ships in the distance. Mike Pountney
Runner-up was Mike Pountney's photo of the Byrhtnoth statue in Maldon's Promenade Park

Conservative councillor Mark Durham, cabinet member for arts, heritage and culture, and chairman of Visit Essex, said: "We were delighted to receive such a high number of entries, many of them were of an extremely high quality and showcased the best that Essex has to offer.

"The judges panel had a very difficult choice to make, but the winning entry was a beautiful image that stood out."

Dr Edmund Ranasinghe Stock Windmill in a snowstorm. It shows a windmill with red brick base, and a wooden structure with two white sails. There are trees behind the windmill, bushes in front, and a short fence.Dr Edmund Ranasinghe
Third place went to Dr Edmund Ranasinghe with his image of Stock Windmill in a snowstorm, in Ingatestone

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