Pooch picture wins Gosport photographer award and Yorkie's owner bags £1,000

Steve Reid picked up Pet Portrait Photographer of the year with his picture of Yorkshire terrier Myla.

Every year former News photographer Steve runs a promotion at his studio, Blitz Photography in Gosport, in which clients can have a portrait taken of their pet and enter the competition in return for a £10 donation to Dog’s Trust and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Gosport-based 64-year-old Pat Hume, Myla’s owner, went to the studio on the recommendation of her daughter to have a family portrait done including new dog Myla, as a Christmas present for herself and her husband.

After the shoot had finished, Steve asked if he could take some pictures of just the dog.

Myla, who was only 10 months old at the time, was so tiny that when she popped into a suitcase for the photo, it nearly dwarfed her.

Nevertheless, Myla turned out to be a natural at modelling. Pat added: ‘Myla was very well behaved, but I’m probably biased’.

Pleased with the photo, Steve entered it into the photo into the UKPP National Portrait Awards in Warwick, and won first prize.

Steve, who was also runner up in the Child Portrait of the Year category, was delighted with the outcome.

He was really pleased for Pat, who as the dog's owner, received the £1,000 prize money.

Steve said: ‘We are delighted that Pat has won the competition because she has had a difficult year and it feels great that she’s had some good news at last.’

Pat was initially shocked when she was told about winning the competition.

Sadly her mother had been unwell and died the day before she received the news.

She added: I'm really happy about winning the prize, the money will go towards a family holiday to Plymouth with my daughter and grandchildren. We're all really excited.'