James Loveridge has been named 'overall winner' of the 2024 South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year competition, for his shot of Lyme Regis.

James Loveridge is from Dorset. Another photographer, Alex Walton, from Ottery won the 'Urban Lines' category.

James' image captures the power of Storm Ciarán as nature shows its force and unleashes its energy upon Lyme Regis Cobb.

The winning aerial photograph beat tough competition from over 1,500 entries across the south west region. James takes home not only the title but wins a £500 voucher from Luxury Coastal Holidays and two return train tickets courtesy of sponsors Great Western Railway.

A panel of three judges included Jessica Lennan, Lecturer in Photography at the University of Plymouth, who said of the winning image:

“The winning photograph impresses both in its beauty and in it its message. It clearly shows the force of nature, with the Cobb being blanketed by the white, churning sea. In contrast, dark and heavy clouds pass by, allowing only little light to come through, and reminding us of looming danger ahead. The South West Coast Path is unique but also vulnerable, especially to extreme weather conditions, which we have particularly experienced in the past 12 months. This image is an excellent example of how powerful photography can be in letting us stop in our tracks and raising awareness for what is happening now.”

James Loveridge said of his win, “I have won the Climate Change category previously with photos of storms on the Jurassic Coast where I live and thought this was my best capture yet and a unique one to be able to get an aerial image during such a powerful storm. We're seeing increasing numbers of storms on the Jurassic Coast in recent years, which I document by getting videos and photographs of all of the major rockfalls in West Dorset and we often see the South West Coast Path having to be moved inland as a result.

"It's great to have won the overall competition for the first time, so I thank the judges and feel lucky that I was in the right place at the right time and the conditions were right to get this photograph.”

Alex Walton from Ottery St Mary also won South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year in the 'Urban Lines' category. For his picture of Sidmouth.

Judge Jessica Lennan said: "This photo demonstrates a clever use of lines in its composition. The street winding alongside the beach serves as a prominent leading line, accentuated by the light trails of passing cars as well as the dotted streetlights. Captured during twilight, the image reveals further details of the surrounding buildings and sea for us to explore. Despite being mostly man-made in an urban setting, the lines in the photo retain an organic quality, which we particularly liked.”