Philip Underwood has been named runner-up in a competition to find a portfolio of photographs that best illustrate life in a Surrey village.

The competition was run in conjunction with the annual Village of the Year contest. Philip, a parish councillor, entered a series of pictures which can be seen in the “photos” section of this website.

His success brings with it a cheque for £50. The winning village in the photo compeition was Wood Street.

It is the first time that a photo competition has been run alongside the main Village of the Year contest, which is organised by Surrey Community Action and sponsored by the brewers Fullers. Hambledon won this prestigious title in 2008. This year’s winner was Brockham.

Having won the Village of the Year title recently, Hambledon has not re-entered since but Philip decided to have a go at the photo competition. He has received a certificate, shown here, which will go on display at the village community shop.

Philip, a keen wild life photographer, took pictures at the shop, Oakhurst, the cricket green and the church as well as showing parish clerk Jane Woolley at work. He concentrated on people, rather than the locations, and each told its own story – a snapshot of village life.