A LOCAL photographer, whose first picture was published in the Tenby Observer in 1976 while she was still at Greenhill School, is in the running for a prestigious national award.

Rebecca Naden, who lives in St. Florence, has just been nominated for the 'Sports Photographer of the Year Award' at the 2013 UK Picture Editors' Guild Awards.

The entries, from over 400 press photographers across the country, were judged by a panel of picture editors from national and regional newspapers and international photographic agencies.

The UK Picture Editors' Guild Awards recognise outstanding photography from the world of news, royalty, sport, business, fashion and entertainment.

Rebecca, who grew up in Penally and went to school in the village, joined Thomson Reuters as their photographer based in Wales covering major news and sport in September 2012.

Rebecca, who is the eldest daughter of the late Major John Naden RA and Mrs. Marielle Naden, of Avebury, Penally, is the first woman to be nominated for the 'Sports Photographer of the Year Award', but she first won an accolade in 1980 as the top trainee photographer at the National Council for Training of Journalists Centre in Wednesbury, Staffordshire.

She became the first female photographer on the staff of the Birmingham Post and Mail, where she spent six years, and went on to win 'Royal Photographer of the Year' at the British Picture Editors' Awards in 1994.

Rebecca, who spent 25 years as a staff photographer with the Press Association in London after joining them in 1987 as their first female photographer, has covered various sporting events around the world, including 19 England cricket tours, which have featured five tours to the West Indies, three to Australia, two to South Africa, theee to India, and one to New Zealand, along with World Cups and ICC Champions trophies in India.

Other sports events she has photographed include 26 Ryder Cups, 23 Open Golf Championships, two Olympic Games, three Champions League finals, 25 Wimbledon Championships, and the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

The winners of the awards, including the winner of the prestigious overall SABMiller Photographer of the Year Award, will be presented with their awards by Nigel Farage MEP at a glittering ceremony held at the Honourable Artillery Company, London, on November 4, hosted by BBC journalist and presenter Kate Silverton.