A HOTLY-contested photography contest has received its first submission of the year.

Old Town resident Lynette Thomas was the first photographer to submit five pictures for the judges to consider as they select the best images within the county.

Launched by VisitWiltshire with the backing of the Swindon Advertiser and its sister titles, the popular annual competition will run right through the summer until September, with a £300 voucher prize awaiting the lucky winner.

Lynette, who has no formal photography training, was quick off the mark in submitting her pictures after the contest was launched at the end of April. Among her entries are a shot of a rainbow on Milk Hill, Swallowhead Spring and Womad.

She said: “I studied illustration so I've probably got more of an artistic eye than technical ability.

"I spend a lot of time out and about in the Wiltshire countryside especially in the Avebury area. I love the local landscape and hopefully that comes out in the pictures.”

Reflecting on the images she had submitted, Lynette said: “I took the picture from the top of Milk Hill when I was out with some friends looking for crop circles, it was a really stormy day and as we reached the top of the hill the sun came out and this rainbow appeared.

"One of the friends I was with sadly passed away not long ago so this picture holds a special memory for me.”

Her image of Swallowhead Spring - the principal source of the River Kennet, which is not far from Silbury hill – captured the spring on a cold winters day in February and features her friend Jaime in the shot.

Her third submission is of autumnal tree framed in a window.

“I like the simplicity of this photograph,” said Lynette.

“It was taken through the window of an abandoned farmhouse on the Ridgeway in the autumn when all the trees were starting to lose their leaves.”

But her photos also reflect some of the county’s signature events and celebrations, including the Summer Solstice at Avebury where the Kings Drummers were caught on film celebrating with a festival of fire and music.

She also found inspiration at Womad where she captured a group of children sat atop the festival’s trademark oversized letters.

Photographers wishing to enter the contest should send their submissions to photocompetition@visitwiltshire.co.uk. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 and over. In addition to the main prize of a £300 voucher there will also be two runners-up prizes of £50 in vouchers as well.

Only colour, digital photos will be accepted and all photographs must be submitted as jpeg or tiff attachments, minimum size 1000 x 700 pixels; minimum resolution 300dpi.

Visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/ideas-and-inspiration/competitions for more details.