A PROFESSIONAL photographer has won an award after submitting hair model shots created by stylists at Saks in Ripon.

Paul Cooper originally took the photographs for the salon's entry into the Saks Awards last year, but two were so striking that he used them for his entry in the Master Photographer's Association Awards for the region.

One of them won Mr Cooper the title of Yorkshire Fashion Photographer of the Year. He also holds the UK Fashion Photographer of the Year and British Institute of Professional Photographers' Photographer of the Year titles.

One of the looks created by Saks Ripon stylists John Goddard and Johnny Liddle also appeared on the front cover of a recent issue of Professional Photographer magazine.

Lee Kettlewell, of Saks, said: "Paul is an excellent photographer, evident not only from his great work but also by the string of awards he has won.

"The Saks Ripon team creates beautiful looks for a range of competitions and it is crucial that a photographer of Paul's calibre is used to get the best possible images."