STUNNING pictures taken by a Kent photographer have featured in a television programme.

Edward Thompson, from Folkestone, was one of just six photographers chosen from thousands of hopefuls to take part in the Channel 4 programme Picture This, which aims to find the UK’s best new snapper.

Edward, 28, a former pupil at the Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone, won a place in the show with his pictures of the town’s earthquake, which were used in many of the national newspapers.

His subjects also included royalty, as well as stripping dwarves performing in a burlesque show abroad.

The first Picture This show was broadcast on Sunday, January 6, and continues on Sunday evenings, at 7pm, until February.

The show involves six of the best emerging photographic talents being pitted against each other to prove their worth while being assessed by a panel of expert judges.

The overall winner will have their photography showcased in a dedicated book, an exhibition of their work and will be named Britain’s Best New Photographer.

Edward, who flits between his mum’s home in Sandgate and a flat in London, finished studying for an MA in photo journalism and documentary photography at the London College of Communication last year.

He said: “I find a story and then make a way of illustrating it.

“There were 1.2m viewers for the first episode and people have been stopping me in the street after recognising me. I hope it makes more people aware of my work.”

Recent projects have included pictures of George Bush’s neighbours and pictures of Utopia, Texas.