The Isle of Man Examiner’s own chief photographer has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Organised by the UK’s Society of Editors, the annual Regional Press Awards highlight the best of British regional and local newspaper journalism across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

Dave Kneale is among six photographers to be shortlisted in the ’Weekly/Sunday Photographer of the Year’ category for their work on a weekly paper.

Each entrant in the two photography categories submitted three images to a judging panel of industry experts who look for versatility, technical skill and the ability to capture the picture that matters.

The three images Dave chose - of Nigel Farage, Dean Harrison in the Senior TT race and reporter Jess Ward exploring the Great Laxey Mine - were enough to impress the judges.

Announcing the shortlist, the judging panel praised his ’consistently great pictures across a range of subjects’.

Dave has been reporting and shooting for Isle of Man Newspapers since 2012 and has acted as the company’s chief photographer since 2016.

He said that picking the final three shots was extremely difficult.

’How on earth can you sum up life in the island in just three pictures?,’ he said.

’In the end I kept it simple and chose one news picture, one feature picture and one sporting picture.’ Dave added: ’Of course it’s an absolute joy to be shortlisted.

’But everything we do is a team effort, come rain or shine or global pandemic.

’The whole team has moved mountains over the last few months, so it’s nice to be recognised by our industry.’

Isle of Man Newspapers editor Richard Butt said: ’Dave is a tremendous asset to Isle of Man Newspapers and he thoroughly deserves this recognition through the Regional Press Awards.

’It really is a testament to his talent, hard work and commitment.’

He added: ’The judging panel picked up on the consistency of Dave’s work - and that is something that we almost take for granted.

’Dave covers an enormous variety of jobs on a weekly basis, often with little notice.

’Despite that, he always delivers.’

The overall winners will be announced on Friday (June 19).

In his category, Dave is up against photographers from newspapers including the Maidenhead Advertiser, Stratford-upon-Avon Herald, The Falkirk Herald and The Cumberland News.

Here, Dave has picked out some of his picture highlights from 2019, including the three images that he submitted to the judging panel.