Sheffield's steel making prowess has been recognized in a national photography competition.

Mr Mark Tomlinson operations director of Sheffield Forgemasters was announced winner of the EEF Heroes of Modern UK Manufacturing Photography Competition at EEF’s National Gala Dinner in London.

His award winning image, which was judged National Winner, Best photograph by an Amateur Photographer, captured the beauty of local steel making.

Photographers were challenged by EEF, the Manufacturers' organisation, to capture the heroic people, products, places or processes that make UK manufacturing great. There were three entry categories for professional, amateur and young people aged 14 to 19.

Mr Mark's photograph is of '5 Press' at Sheffield Forgemasters. This colossal 10,000 tonne open die forge has been operating for over 40 years and is still capable of producing some of the largest and most technically demanding forgings in the world today. The image shows a 170 tonne plate mill roll being forged at around 1200°C.

The judges said that "This is a very powerful and well exposed image, demonstrating excellent control of the heat and light elements. The subject is a UK hero of manufacturing, a global leader in its field, combining high tech and a strong heritage."

The free to enter competition, now in its second year, was sponsored by Lombard and supported by Canon, The ERA Foundation, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), The Guild of Photographers, The Manufacturer magazine and The Digital Asset Lab.

The three winners and two runners up shared a prize of GBP 5,000 worth of photography equipment sponsored by Canon.

Mr Terry Scuoler CEO of EEF said that "Congratulations to our winners, who have succeeded in capturing the ingenuity, creativity, technology and pride of modern manufacturing. The gallery of winning and short listed images will be showcased throughout the year, creating a new public image of 21st Century manufacturing and instilling pride in UK industry."

Mr Alexander Baldock, Lombard's MD, said that "We are delighted to support and be a part of the EEF Photography Competition, which captures the energy that will drive a positive future. I have been very impressed by the high standard of entrants and their truly inspirational images of the manufacturing sector which I believe will be instrumental in changing the perception of what the industry has to offer."