MEMBERS of Parliament will gaze on a stunning image captured by a Carterton photographer who is in the hunt for a top prize.

Groundsman Jason Clark has been shortlisted as a finalist in the eight annual photography award run by EEF – The Manufacturer's Organisation.

His shot of a water tower in twilight, along with others shortlisted, will be on display in the House of Commons ahead of the final, and if he wins he could pick up a £5,000 prize.

The 37-year-old said: "I grew up in the Channel Islands so was interested by natural beauty, someone gave me my first camera at 16 and I found out I was quite good at it.

"I like landscapes and wildlife photography, especially when it's to do with horses.

"I particularly enjoy equestrian photography, I quite like the challenge."

Nominated in the amateur category, Mr Clarke shot a picture of the water tower in twilight in Fairford, Gloucestershire, as he is interested in the way manmade structures stand out against the stars.

He said: "For me, it's always been a hobby, I am now hoping to take it further, this is the perfect thing to launch a career in photography."

The competition aims to raise the profile of modern day UK manufacturing by displaying the industry’s creativity, diversity and heritage through inspiring photography.

This year’s shortlisted photographs portray the various stages of manufacturing – from design, process and technology in action through to the finished product – and cover traditional and high-tech sectors.

Mr Clarke, from Burford Road, added: "Manufacturing offers lots of opportunities for exciting and dynamic images – the challenge as a photographer is to capture it in a single shot.

"I really hope my photograph goes a small way to changing people’s perceptions of manufacturing”.

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF, said: “This competition is all about capturing how innovative and exciting modern manufacturing is.

"Jason should be very proud that his image successfully captures the ingenuity and dynamism of our industry.

"I can’t wait to see this incredible image, along with all the other shortlisted images, on display in the House of Commons later in December.”

The winner will be announced on December 12.

More pictures taken by Mr Clarke can be found on his website jasonclark.uk/equine-photography.