A man has won a major photography prize after suffering the devastating "bombshell" of redundancy.

Colin Jones, 47, beat competition from some of the best in the UK industry to become Kodak Wedding Photographer of the Year 2006.

After 25 years Mr Jones lost his job at Leach Colour in Brighouse after having worked there since leaving school at the age of 17.

While at the company they sent him on day release to Leeds College, where he picked up many photographic skills.

But, with the rise of digital photography, jobs for manual photographers became more scarce and Mr Jones was laid off.

He said: "When I was made redundant it was a total bombshell.

"But I just had to dust myself off and start again. My partner Lesley and I decided to invest the redundancy money in our own business - Waterhouse Photo- graphy."

Mr Jones and his partner Lesley McMullen run the business from home together, with Mr Jones doing the photography and Miss McMullen doing the administration and photoshop.

Now, the business is going from strength to strength and this year covered 40 weddings. Next year they hope to open a studio in Hipperholme.

The winning photograph was of four young bridesmaids dancing in a field.

Mr Jones, of Ye Farre Close, Blackburn Road, Brighouse, said: "The perfect photograph is about being in the right place at the right time, so you need to be patient."

Mr Jones won £1,000 and a further £1,000 for the bride, Adele Daly, and her husband, Paul, of Cain Lane, Southowram.

Miss Daly said: "Colin truly deserves this win - he made our big day very special. The bridesmaids' picture is just wonderful."

Award-winning international photographer Richard Dutkowski, who judged the 2006 entries, said: "Colin's picture was exceptional. He has captured a quite compelling moment in time and he fully deserves this win."

Mr Jones hopes his winning picture will inspire other wedding couples to consider the benefits of using a professional photographer on their big day. He said: "Brides are always happy to spend a lot of money on a wedding dress that will be worn just once.

"The truth is that a wedding is the beginning of a brand new family history - and should be recorded by a professional."