A STUNNING shot of the stars above Whitby lighthouse stole the show in a Dark Skies Festival photography competition.

The contest was launched to celebrate the Dark Skies Festival which has seen more than 4,000 people take part in a variety of night-time pursuits across the North Yorkshire countryside.

Grosmont resident and amateur photographer Brinton Darnell won the competition with his evocative shot of Whitby lighthouse as the beams of light shine across the sea under starry skies.

Meanwhile Kirsty Johnson of Castleton took a photo of star trails above Castleton which scooped her the runners-up prize.

Both entrants received sports equipment and clothing courtesy of Columbia Sportswear.

Judge Steve Bell, a Helmsley astro-photographer said: “I loved the cast of light from the lighthouse onto the water in Brinton’s photograph, plus what looks like the moon starting to appear in the horizon provided a great depth of field.

“Kirsty’s image was her first attempt at taking a star trail photograph.

“For this reason alone, together with the fact that she captured the night sky against the ruggedness of the moors meant she deserved a runners-up place.”

The Dark Skies Festival ran throughout February.