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The winner of the competition was unveiled on Friday evening, following the photographic event that took place in Cardiff on Saturday 12 June.

From over 400 participants, Nigel Leach from Gileston near Barry has been crowned this year's competition winner, in which snap-happy entrants have to capture just 12 images of 12 given topics, over 12 hours.

Nigel Leach's Photomarathon topic one photo: My Entry Number

This year was the competition's first using the format of digital photography, rather than film. The event was a sell out, with people from right across the UK descending on the Wales Millennium Centre, which was the headquarters for the day.

Hollie Withers from Cardiff claimed the Photomarathon UK second prize, with David Manton from Penarth picking up the third prize. Keeping it in the family, his son - Daniel Manton, also from Penarth - was this year's junior winner.

Nigel Leach's Photomarathon topic two photo: Aroma

Winner Nigel Leach commented: "I found the day itself really exhausting, really difficult, much more difficult than I thought it was going to be but I'm ecstatic about winning and it's totally unexpected.

"I look around and there's so many fantastic photographs, I actually prefer the second place pictures more than mine, I'm just over the moon. I didn't have a camera of my own before and now I've won one, which is brilliant."

Nigel Leach's Photomarathon topic five photo: Up In The Air

Mathew Talfan, Photomarathon Director and judge said: 'Trying to pick winners is a very, very difficult task, but the judges spent two days viewing the images and we're really pleased with this year's selections. All the winners - each in their own way - has captured the spirit of the competition."

The first UK Photomarathon was held in Cardiff in the summer of 2004 when 140 people took up the challenge and the number of participants has continued to grow over the years.

The results of this year's test of creativity are now on display to the general public, with every single image taken on the day - that's over 4,800 images - being exhibited at Cardiff Old Library on The Hayes until 7 August.

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