A PHOTOGRAPHER has snapped up two places in the final of a national competition.

Former policeman Bob Nunn, of Stockton, is the first person to get two pictures in the final 12 of the annual Radio Times calendar competition.

Mr Nunn's pictures beat more than 5,000 entries to the competition to be chosen for the BBC's 2001 calendar.

Readers have been asked to vote for their favourite of the 12 pictures and the winner, who will be announced on Sunday, will win a trip for two to India.

Mr Nunn, who runs a photography business, said: "I was really excited when I found out I had reached the final with two pictures.

"I studied photography for a few years and then set up my business after leaving the police a few years ago.

"It's a hobby that has really taken off, and this is the first time I have ever entered my work in a competition."

Mr Nunn's winning photos are of a sheepdog in Upper Teesdale, and a pack of fox- hounds from the South Durham Hunt.

His pictures will be included in the Radio Times calendar, which will be on sale later in the year, with all proceeds going to Children in Need.

Mr Nunn's pictures will be used to represent March and November in the calendar, which has sold thousands of copies in previous years.

The 12 finalists have been featured in this week's Radio Times, and readers have been asked to call a 24-hour phone line to vote for their favourite image.

Mr Nunn specialises in taking pictures of animals, and his business, Pets Photographic, involves him taking lots of snaps of dogs.

He said: "I take pictures of all animals, but most owners want a portrait of dogs so I have the most experience in taking photographs of them.

"That's why I entered two dog pictures in the competition, but I didn't expect to do so well.