THEY are dramatic images that show our soldiers at their very best.

Whether fleeing explosions in an Apache helicopter, crouching at the gravestone of a fallen colleague, or winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, the photographs paint a thousand words about members of our armed forces.

Now the people behind the lens of these memorable snapshots have been honoured at an awards ceremony in Andover.

The annual Army Photographic Competition challenged professional and amateur snappers to capture aspects of military life in a number of categories, including soldiering, operations and sport.

Dozens of entries were received from talented servicemen and women throughout the country, as well as staff and cadets of the Combined Cadet Force, Army Cadet Force, University Officer Training Corps, and Ministry Of Defence civilians and contractors who work directly with the Army.

Among the lucky winners who picked up their prizes at the town’s Army Headquarters was Corporal Jamie Peters RLC, who scooped the Best Overall image prize for his spectacular shot of an Apache in action.

He said: “I was pretty happy when I found out I’d won. It’s a good feeling that lots of people enjoyed my image more than the other ones.”

Sergeant Russ Nolan, also of the Royal Logistics Corps, won the professional portrait category for the second time with a portrait of a soldier with the Wessex Yeomanry on Salisbury Plain.

He said: “It’s great to have won another award. I won it the year before last, so it’s like getting my trophy back.”

Organiser of this year’s competition, Command Master Photographer, WO1 Will Craig, of the Royal Logistics Corps, said: “We’ve seen a very high standard again, especially on the professional side. It gets better each year.

“The amateurs have also given us a high standard of photographs too. It’s been quite impressive. And also this year has seen an increase in entries.

Competition has been really fierce.”