ASHINGDON-based photographer Nicky Hayes has been shortlisted for the Barclays Premier League Shot of the Season award for his snap of Didier Drogba's mid-air celebration against Blackpool.

Hayes, 53, took the shot as the Chelsea forward marked his side’s third goal in a 4-0 victory by leaping into the air at Stamford Bridge last September.

He is one of 12 photographers to be shortlisted for the award, the winner of which will take home a cheque for £5,000 to spend on photographic equipment.

Regular Echo contributor Hayes, who is employed by Back Page Images, was delighted with the photo.

He said: “What I like most about it is its symmetry. Obviously it helps that it’s a high-profile player of a big team, but I feel Drogba’s blue shirt really stands out against the backdrop of orange Blackpool shirts, and he’s also wearing orange boots.

“To have the ecstasy of Drogba and the Chelsea fans contrasting with the distraught defender and Blackpool fans is really nice, and the fact that I took it at such a low level makes it look like Drogba has leapt an incredible height.

“I knew it was a good photo as soon as I took it so I’m really happy with it, as much as I dislike Chelsea.”

West Ham fan Hayes was the Echo’s Southend United photographer during the early 1990s and has been nominated for a Barclays Photographic Award three times previously, once for Shot of the Season and twice for Photographer of the Season.

And he believes that this time he stands a good chance of taking the prize.

He said: “Some photos capture defining moments of the season, such as Wayne Rooney's overhead kick, but aren’t so good aesthetically. My photo can’t really be called season-defining, but it’s very pleasing to look at.

“It would be fantastic to win and be able to update my equipment.”