A PROFESSIONAL photographer from Yate has gained international recognition and received her first ever gold award for her photograph of a roaring lion taken at a zoo.


Anna-Marie Coster, 34, is a professional photographer whose work has been commended through a gold award from the International Professional Photographers Association.


Miss Coster has previously won 20 other photography awards with various associations, including bronze, silver, gold and judges commended and was awarded gold for the first time on April 10.


Miss Coster, who owns a photography company based in Yate and specialises in pet, portrait and wildlife photography, said: "I have been a member of the photographic association since November.

They run a monthly image competition which is judged by a panel and I won the gold for the March competition.


"I took the photograph in January this year at Noarh's Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol, as I am very passionate about animals and love big cats, I combine my passion of animals and wildlife with my passion for photography and I got the shot of the lion roaring after waiting patiently for a while."


"I am thrilled to win such a prestigious award and to gain recognition for my wildlife photography that I am very passionate about."