A BUDDING photographer from Burnley is hoping to be first past the post in a competition to photograph this year’s Aintree Grand National.

Dan Heap, 36, is one of 10 finalists in the Crabbie’s Capture the Spirit of the Grand National competition.

Now he is relying on public votes to win the competition and become the drinks brand’s official photographer at Aintree.

Dan, who went to St Theodore’s school in Burnley and for the past 18 months has been working in Dublin, said: “I’ve been doing photography for a few years now.

“It is something I really enjoy doing.

“There’s some great scenery around Burn-ley for photography and I’ve done quite a lot of travel photography.

“Horse racing is another passion of mine. I go racing quite a lot and it is a brilliant sport for photography.

“The early morning training rides provide brilliant lighting.

“Being a photographer at the Grand National meeting would be fantastic exposure for me and would help make photography a full-time hobby.”

The 10 finalists were selected by a panel of representatives from Crabbie’s and the Jockey Club, choosing the images which they felt best represented the spirit of the Grand National Festival.

The photographs have now been uploaded to the Crabbies UK Facebook page, and whoever gets the most likes by midnight on Saturday will win the competition.