A POLE vaulter in action, a gymnast doing a somersault and a hockey team getting some coaching feature in the three photographs shortlisted to win the Kent Sports Volunteers Project photographic competition.

The first picture was taken by 14-year-old Kara Gibbs, a potential athlete for London 2012, at Ashford Athletics Club. The gymnastics picture was taken at Meapa Gym Club in Gravesham by Keith Slater while the third was taken by Owen Boyd at Tunbridge Wells Tigers Inline Hockey Club.

The winning photograph will be announced by Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, during the Kent Volunteer Awards ceremony this Sunday at the Ramada Hotel Maidstone.

The competition, supported by the Kent Messenger Group, was organised by the KSVP to promote sports volunteering in what is the Year of the Volunteer. The winners will receive a share of £1,000 for their sports club.

Simon Harris, co-ordinator of the Kent Sports Volunteers, said: "The number of entries into the competition from a range of sports was fantastic. Some high quality pictures showed people had spent time and effort being involved in the county’s clubs."

The judging panel included Kent and England cricketer Martin Saggers, Sheena Pitchford, club development officer, and sports volunteer photographer John Hunt.