Press releases

A Newcastle-based train manager has won a Europe-wide photography competition hosted by transport group Arriva.

David Brereton of CrossCountry Trains, part of Arriva, was awarded 'Arriva Photo of the Year 2008' for his image of trains being refuelled at Tyne Yard.

The competition, open to all 40,000 Arriva employees across 12 countries, attracts hundreds of entries every year from across Europe.

After winning a quarterly award for his picture’s ‘strength, lighting and composition’, David’s photo was entered as one of four finalists for the annual award, judged by transport magazine Transit.

For his winning shot, he spent more than six hours sizing up his subject after finishing his shift. David, who lives in North Shields, said: "I had the image I wanted in my mind, and it was just a matter of time until I got it right.

"It was a horrible night, very wet and blustery. A train was being refuelled and it was right next to another in such perfect positioning. I got soaked through but it was worth it."

His eye for a picture has netted him a total of £650 in prizes from Arriva’s photo competition this year.

Judges at Transit said: "We particularly liked the atmosphere of the picture and it really harks back to some of the evocative works of the great railway artists of the past. It has immediate impact and really does get the point across that public transport is a round the clock industry with a lot of behind the scenes effort, much of which the general public is probably unaware of."

Steve Clayton, group managing director – corporate affairs at Arriva, said: "The standard of photography coming through in the competition from across Europe is very impressive. David’s image is stunning and is a well-deserved winning shot."

All winning photos, and runners up, are available to view on at the Photo Competition section of the picture gallery.