AN IMAGE of sunseekers enjoying the British seaside in summer has been selected as the winning entry of a competition which challenged snappers to capture the spirit of the North.

The photograph, taken by freelancer Chris Booth, sees beach-goers clad in swimwear at Redcar, Teesside, with a windfarm backdrop.

It was chosen by esteemed photographer Martin Parr for The Bowes Museum’s Only in the North contest - designed to encourage people to engage with its Only in England exhibition.

The exhibition featured the work of photographers Tony Ray Jones and Mr Parr.

Mr Booth, of Darlington, said: “I was very pleased to have won. I thought it looked like an interesting picture to take of those central characters looking typically British. I guess there’s a bit of a comical element to it which I thought might be eye-catching.”

The image was one of 400 entries from photographers aged between five and 78 from across the region and the UK.

The shortlisted entries were chosen by Sarah Caldecott, photographic coordinator at The Northern Echo and Claire Jordan, of The Bowes Museum, for their technical skill, energy and sense of humour.

Rosie Bradford, groups and events co-ordinator at The Bowes Museum, said: “The entries collectively give a vivid picture of the North today- a unique and vibrant region that I’m proud to live in.”

Winners of the youth categories were Maisy Ayres, 11, and Ella Brewster, 17.