Local photographer Zoe Warde-Aldam has been recognised in the world's leading celebration of food photography and film.

Her picture of a horse about to bite an apple was described by founder and director of the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year Awards, Caroline Kenyon as “such a clever image” and the photograph, entitled Biting, led to Zoe being awarded runner-up in the Apple a Day category.

“I could not believe it when it got placed in the category. It was really exciting,” said Zoe, a freelance photographer whose home is near Riding Mill.

“It took a lot of time though. At Christmas we spent a lot of time getting the photograph. My mum had to hold the horse, called Bob, and my sister held the apple and I took the picture – a team effort. And I kept having to wait until the light was right. We used a lot of apples!”

Zoe, who now works in London, became interested in photography when she was at university and focuses on food and interiors.

“There were so many entries from all over the world and I did not intend to get a second prize,” she said.

Caroline Kenyon added: “The world is in the grip of Covid-19 and normal life, whatever that may be, has stopped for all of us. But photos such as these remind us of the ways and cultural habits that mean so much to us and bind us together.”

The Covid-19 lockdown did not defeat the celebrations. For the first time since the competition’s inception in 2011, the awards evening was held online.

Winners were announced by musician and cheesemaker, Alex James, in a live-streamed event on the evening of Tuesday, April 28.

It was watched by thousands across the globe, including celebrities from the food and photography world.

“The standard was exceptional,” said Phil Turnbull, chief executive of APAL, parent company of Pink Lady®, and headline sponsor of the awards since 2011.

“There were nearly 9,000 entries from over 70 countries – this competition inspires across the world.

“It is a truly global coming together of talent.”