County Durham photographer in world class competition

A man from Teesdale has been short-listed in a major world photography competition.

North News photographer Paul Kingston is up against international names from Getty, Reuters and AP in the Guardian's Photographer of the Year competition.

The Agency Photographer of the Year award has become one of the most prestigious and Paul Kingston has been short-listed for an autumnal picture taken in the Scottish Glens of a steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous after appearances carrying the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.

The competition is unusual in not inviting entries, the selection is madeby a judging panel, and even a place on the shortlist places the photograph as one of the best 15 photographs in the world this year, taken by News Agency staff. Judges said "Kingston captures the beauty of northern landscapes with his painterly images.”

Paul has been a senior photographer with North News and Pictures for over a decade.

The winner of the competition will be announced on December 29.