THIS picture, which first appeared in the News & Mail on May 7, was the best photograph to appear in the weekly regional press anywhere in Britain, according to a panel of senior judges.

News & Mail photographer Chris Whiteoak won top honours for the shot, along with two more of his images, at the NUJ Regional Press Awards held recently.

Chris, who joined the newspaper in 2007, was told by judges that the picture of a Coldstream Guard reunited with his son in Aldershot after a tour of duty in Afghanistan was the outstanding image of all the hundreds that were submitted.

His colleague, Alistair Wilson, missed out on winning a prize but was among four others shortlisted in the same category, marking both out as among the best news photographers working in the regional press.

Chris was also a finalist in the weekly sports photographer of the year prize, a title he took last year.

After the awards, Chris said he was “very, very happy” to have won.

“All the other shortlisted photographs were so strong I didn’t expect to win at all,” he said.

“The quality of all the other photographs, including Ali’s, was unbelievable. I was just very lucky to get one picture that the judges thought was very good.”

The shot showed Sergeant Damian Holland with his three-year-old son Luke, as Number 1 Company of the Coldstream Guards were reunited with their families in Aldershot just over a month ago.

Marnie Wilson, editorial director of the News & Mail, said: "I'm delighted for Chris.

"We have a great team of photographers who work really hard and take wonderful pictures for the News & Mail every day.

"But I agree with the judges that the pictures he submitted were outstanding. He fully deserves this award."

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