A PICTURE showing a couple in leather and feathers on Southend seafront could be crowned winner of a world photography competition.

Peter Dench’s work, completed as part of a marketing campaign, shows the couple tucking into a portion of chips.

It has been shortlisted in the final of the Sony World Photography Awards 2017, which will see his work go up against international photographers in the portrait section.

Mr Dench, 44, a photo-journalist, living in Crouch End, says he is fond of “seaside humour” as part of his work.The Open competition winner will receive 5,000 dollars (about £4,000), Sony digital imaging equipment and flights and accommodation to the awards ceremony at Somerset House in London next spring.