SOUTH West Lakes Trust and South West Water have revealed the winners of the 2016 ‘Love Your Lakes’ photo competition, which ran from May 1 to September 30, receiving over 160 entries, and includes a winner from Lifton.

The competition, now in its third year, was held to encourage people of all ages to make the most of the fantastic photo opportunities at their lakes across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset.

The lakes of the South West are popular among amateur and professional photographers alike, providing a unique combination of beautiful landscapes, high-adrenalin activities and rich wildlife and plants.

They are also the reservoirs that provide most of the region’s raw tap water, and the entries reveal how photographers are fascinated by the interplay between essential infrastructure and the natural world.

The three photo categories included family fun, on the water and feats of engineering. Photos had to be taken at one of South West lakes Trust’s sites.

The competition was judged by renowned professional news and sport photographer, Richard Austin; chief executive of South West Lakes Trust, Andy Parsons; and customer relations and business development director for South West Water, Monica Read.

First prize for the feats of engineering category and the chosen overall winner was Rob Gualtieri from Bere Alston, Yelverton, for his photograph of Burrator Reservoir, who was awarded £350.

Erin Bridges of Hemyock, Cullompton, took the top prize for the family fun category with her photo of a family on a Mega SUP at Roadford Lake, and mark Tremain of Plympton was awarded first prize in the on the water category, for his photo of a fisherman at Burrator Reservoir.

Les Bennett, from Lifton, won second prize in the feats of engineering category.

The winning entries will be on display in the Lakeside Café at Roadford Lake from December 1 until the end of February.

Roadford Lake is just minutes from the A30 between Okehampton and Launceston, and is home to Devon’s Jubilee Sundial, given to the Queen by the County of Devon in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee.