BIRDS, boats and the odd unsuspecting walker were snapped by members of the Oxford Mail Camera Club as they took to the water.

Some 15 intrepid photographers walked a two-mile stretch of the Oxford canal on Monday evening in search of worthy subjects for this week's theme of waterways.

The amble was the latest in a series of camera club meet-ups after the group previously descended on Blenheim Palace and Dorchester Abbey.

This trip was organised by Bryan Robertson, 70, who has been in the club for a little over a year.

He said: “The first photo I ever took with a digital camera was of the canal back in 2003.

“It’s a great location for photography.

“You have all the birds and animals while being surrounded by the architecture of the city.”

The pensioner from Woodstock, whose other big hobby is model railways, said he would take a photo of anything but particularly enjoys capturing wildlife, despite the challenges of trying to snap moving animals.

He added: “Blenheim Palace is basically my back garden so I’m always outside taking photographs.

“The other day I managed to follow 70 deer, it made for some great pictures.

“For me it’s a bit of fun and something I really enjoy doing.”

The club, which now has nearly 700 members, sees amateur photographers share their best photos on a weekly theme with the highlights featuring in the newspaper every Friday.

Each week one photo is picked as the winner with that snapper receiving £25 in Jessops vouchers.

Becca Collacott, from Abingdon, has been in the club since the start and was crowned the first ever winner.

The trainee nursing associate said she uses photography as a way of taking time out from her job.

She said: “I have always got a camera on me and there must only be two or three days of the year when I don’t take any pictures at all.

“It’s a really nice group of people, we’re all from different backgrounds but share the same hobby.

“If you have any issues at all there is always someone to help out and teach you new skills.”

See the best pictures from the meet-up in Friday's Oxford Mail.