THIS stunning shot of foxes playing in the snow scooped first prize in a prestigious photography competition.

Karen Diton scooped a £100 prize by winning a public vote as part of the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s annual photographic competition.

The budding photographer of Gibbon Road, Newhaven, overcame fierce competition with the county’s best wildlife snappers sending in their entries.

Describing the moment she took the winning shot, she said: “I was staying with my mum in Crowborough in January this year when we had some snow.

“Crowborough, as you may know, always gets it worse than many other places.

“I had recently bought a new Nikon 200-500 lens so was hoping to get some ‘robin in the snow’ photos.

“I sat just inside the patio doors when one fox walked up the garden.

“Then another one walked down the garden. They played a short time before mating.

“To say I was thrilled was an understatement. I was so lucky to have witnessed such a magical scene.”

The competition runner up was Jamie Fielding, of Lime Grove, Angmering, who captured this dramatic shot of lowland heath, above.

Mr Fielding is no stranger to the competition, having won last year.

For coming second this time round he will receive a calendar and Christmas cards from the Sussex Wildlife Trust’s online shop.

He said: “I knew I wanted to capture a striking heathland shot this autumn.

“The annual heather bloom is stunning and coupled with a morning mist and sunrise I knew there was potential for a great atmospheric shot.

“I chose Lord’s Piece near Pulborough which is a beautiful spot within the Sussex countryside and once autumn rolls in you don’t need to be awake at 4am to capture it.”

The final 12 photographs will be displayed at the trust’s annual members’ meeting on November 11.

They will also feature in the trust’s 2018 online calendar, which will be available on the website monthly from the end of December.