A PHOTOGRAPHY evening class held at Tavistock College has led to critical success in a South West photo competition for a teacher from Launceston.

Sharon Neale of Tavistock College?s City and Guilds photography class was singled out as the overall winner in the South West of England Photo Challenge, held at the Tate St Ives.

Sharon, who was presented with a certificate by actress Jenny Agutter, represented Devon and Cornwall in the Your Life in the South West category of the competition.

Sharon has now been awarded an honorary membership of the Royal Photographic Society for the exceptional quality of her entry, entitled Beach Life.

Sharon, a teacher at St Stephens in Launceston, took up photography two years ago.

More than 300 people entered the competition ? two other West Devon entrants from the Tavistock course made it through to the finals, Graham Woolven of Horrabridge and Ann Easley of Lydford.