IT has been a tough couple of days for Press photographer Frank Dwyer.

He was given the job of sifting through hundreds of entries in The Press Camera Club's first monthly competition to pick a winner.

The theme was 'action' - and camera club members interpreted that freely. Entries ranged from sporting shots to wildlife, dance, waterfalls, and even a firefighters' training session.

"There have been some stunning images, using the capabilities of the modern camera to the full," says Frank. "Some photographers choose to freeze the action, revealing a hidden world, usually too quick for the human eye to see. Others chose to emphasise movement, giving a heightened sense of action."

It really was a tough decision, he says - as you'll be able to see for yourself from some of the other action photos on these pages that didn't quite make the final cut.

But in the end, three photographs stood out for Frank: Philip Chalk’s great use of the zoom burst effect to capture mountain bikers in action; Ian Bale’s atmospheric shot of dancers at a carnival; and Melissa Peakman’s feeding kingfisher.

There could be only one winner, however, and eventually Frank opted for ... Melissa's kingfisher.

The photograph is a stunning moment of captured movement: the kingfisher caught in the act of tossing a tiny silver fish in the air before swallowing it whole. Drops of water run from the fish; the bird's gimlet eye is fixed pitilessly on its prey, and its are wings are raised as if in triumph. "It combines all the great elements required to successfully capture a brilliant action image," Frank says. "By any measure she has produced a photograph of outstanding quality."

So well done, Melissa, for becoming our first winner. You'll receive a cheque for £50, and a great canvas print of your winning photograph.

Meanwhile, our next monthly competition has already been launched. This time the theme is 'autumn'. Well, what else could it be in October?

So get those cameras out...and if you're not already a member of our camera club, why not join now so you can take part?

Just visit facebook, type in Press Camera Club - and sign up...

Stephen Lewis