SUPER snapper Stephen Mathison has focussed in on the top prize at this year's Spirit of the Beltane photography competition.

The barber from Peebles, who regularly contributes his excellent images to the Peeblesshire News, saw off competition from around 40 other photographers to win the annual trophy.

Stephen's superhero photo from the Fancy Dress Parade came out on top following weeks of deliberation by the judges.

Stephen said: "I’m pleased and surprised to receive the award.   "I’ve been photographing The Beltane for a number of years and I’ve actually judged the competition a few times too... so it’s nice to be receiving the award instead of giving it out!"

The Spirit of the Beltane competition was initiated in honour of the late Sandy Smith, who was a trained photographer as well as a Beltane stalwart.

And it is organised each year by the Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen festival committee with all of the entries featuring in the official Beltane programme.

Allan Beveridge from the committee told us: "The competition has proved to be a great success since it started with a healthy number of entries each year.

"Stephen's image was a worthy winner although there were many other excellent photographs, which made judging very difficult."

David Baird claimed the runners-up spot with John Swanson's image taking third place.

From next year the organising committee are creating a website for images to be entered electronically.

Mr Beveridge added: "The Spirit of the Beltane competition is open to anyone - professional or amateur, young or old - and we want o make it easier to enter.

"We have a beautiful trophy for each year's winner and we look forward to many more fantastic photographs, just like Stephen's, coming in next year."