TWO amateur photographers from Bury have snapped up top honours.

David Wilkinson has gained international success and the right to put the letters AFIAP (Artiste Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique) after his name.

He submitted a portfolio that included a dramatic crash in a superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

And in the same week, Sarah Davies scored a perfect 15 out of 15 from the three judges in an annual regional competition that attracted thousands of entries from nearly 100 camera clubs.

Her picture, entitled Late Bus, was shot in the evening light just outside Bolton.

Both are members of Bury Photographic Society which is currently enjoying a record membership.

David, an IT technician from Scobell Street, Tottington, entered 21 images in his pursuit of the AFIAP qualification and received 67 acceptances in 11 countries.

The image with the most acceptances was Race Over which he captured as the rider and bike skidded towards his viewpoint behind the crash barriers at the race circuit.

His interest in photography began almost 40 years ago when he developed prints in a darkroom built by his father in the loft of the family home.

His specialist interests are wildlife, sport and monochrome landscapes.

Sarah, who lives in Walmersley Road, Bury, had her perfect mark in an annual competition run by the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union.

She has also recently been awarded a selectors ribbon from the Royal Photographic Society for her imaginative treatment of a sculpture in Radcliffe.

Sarah, who specialises in landscapes and creative photography, only became serious about the hobby when she bought a digital camera with money saved from giving up smoking.

She believes in recording local images because in the six years since she started many subjects have disappeared and the images have become historic views.

David's photographs can be seen on his website davewilkinsonphotos.co.uk and Sarah's on her site at littlelens.com

  • Bury Photographic Society meets at Fishpool Liberal Club, Nelson St, Bury, at 7.45pm on Thursdays.