Photo comp winner announced

The votes are in, the ballots have been counted and the winners of the Ashford Best Placed in Britain Photo Competition 2010 have been chosen!

With a staggering 769 votes cast online and at The Art Room gallery, the public has selected the three pictures that best show ‘reasons to smile’ about Ashford.

18 & Over Space by Giacomo Marchesi, 21, from Smeeth
12 to 17 Nature Blooming by Jamie Bramley, 16, from Park Farm
Under 12s Moat at Park Farm, by George Hinkley, 9, from Park Farm

The Ashford’s Future competition, which opened in April, invited people of all ages to capture one image that show their reason to smile about Ashford, and submit it online.

A total of 70 photos were submitted, all showing Ashford in a different light. There were familiar scenes – such as the Hubert fountain in Victoria Park and Ashford’s high speed trains – and more personal pictures of friends, family and favourite beauty spots.

An independent panel of judges, chaired by artist Oliver Winconek, drew up a longlist and then a shortlist of the five best images from each age group, which went to the public vote and on display at The Art Room.

To view the winning photos.