Yorkshire Dales guesthouse owner shortlisted for British Photography Awards with image of Muker Show

Neil McNair, who runs Low Mill Guesthouse in Bainbridge with his wife Jane, submitted his photograph of Muker Show in the Events category.

The image shows farmers showing their Swaledale sheep for judging at the event.

Mr McNair said: "I have 'ummed and ahhed' over whether this is the right category for this but hopefully it is.

"These rural sheep shows are hugely important in the farming community in the Dales; these Swaledales don't have a hair out of place and are treated as royalty, it's a serious business, and everyone wants to get that red rosette.

"I wanted the importance of this to come across in the image. You can see in the guy's face how much he wants to have the best Swaledale (he didn't!) but also how intimate these events are despite the competitive element. I think it has also captured the fact that the show goes on despite the sheeting rain!"

The McNairs are Londoners who moved to the Dales to open their guesthouse in 2011. They bought an 18th-century watermill with its original wheel still in place and began an extensive conversion project.

Mr McNair's nomination comes at the end of a tough year for the couple. The basement of Low Mill flooded when the River Bain rose during Storm Ciara in February, and they then faced a spring of cancelled bookings during lockdown.

To vote for his photograph, click here.