A PHOTOGRAPHER whose birthday falls on Armistice Day has scooped first prize in an international competition for his depiction of a First World War cemetery.

Derek Gale, 49, a professional photographer from Watchfield, beat 1,200 other entries representing 50 countries to take one of three gold medals in the International Photoart competition.

Heat of Battle is an image of one of the Somme war graveyards taken on a frosty January morning. Derek has used computer imaging software to make the bases of the three crosses in the foreground appear to be glowing red.

He said: "My birthday is on November 11 so Armistice Day has always had particular relevance for me.

"I took an image of a First World War graveyard, then something made me think about the phrase heat of battle and what it means if someone dies in the heat of battle. The red is intended to make the crosses look like red hot iron."Derek entered the competition, which is run by Cannock Photographic Society in the Midlands, last April. It is believed to be one of the first of its kind because entries were invited worldwide over the internet.

Heat of Battle was picked out for a gold medal by judge David Shepherd, the famous wildlife artist and conservationist.

Mr Gale said: "It's the first time I've ever won a gold medal in a competition so I was quite pleased."

Examples of David Gale's works are for sale at the Croft Gallery in Old Town and an exhibition by him entitled Open to Interpretation is at the Wyvern Theatre from January 21 to February 18.