David Stearne from Kent has been presented with the £1,000 first prize in this year's MAB photo competition with its theme of war memorials. The photograph on the right was his winning entry.

The Memorial Awareness Board (MAB) annual photography competition is sponsored by memorial masons and funeral directors Lodge Brothers.

The theme of this year's competition was inspired by the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. MAB invited photographers to capture the poignancy and significance of war memorials.

The Memorial Awareness Board campaigns for stone memorialisation. Its website, www.rememberforever.org.uk, informs the public and the press about options regarding memorialisation. Whether a loved one is buried or cremated, they deserve to be remembered for ever and a stone memorial is the best way to accomplish this. The website gives details of all types of stone memorial available from memorial masons.

The competition was once again a huge success with more than 250 entries that produced many stunning photographs. The judges were impressd by the level of interest and the standard of photography. Choosing a top 10 and a runner up, as well as an overall winner, proven to be an extremely difficult task. You can see the short-listed 10 and find out how to view all 250 entries on the MAB website.

After receiving the £1,000 cheque today (30 October), David Stearne said: “Thank you so much to MAB for the great opportunity. I am a keen photographer and found the subject matter of WW1 memorials most fascinating.

"Memorials play an important part in our social history whether they are personal or public. Its an honour to remember those who have fallen and to remember the sacrifice made by so many in the First World War."