A photographer tracked down a couple he photographed in an award-winning photo only to discover they have since broken up.

Simon Lees’ image of the sun setting over Bath won him the Sunday Times Big Shot competition in 2020.

The mystery couple in the foreground contacted him after seeing his appeal to track them down and give them a copy of “the special moment in time”.

Salam said it was a “hilarious” when he realised it was him and his ex Beth.

“That day we decided to sit there on the hill and chill and chat for a little while we were just having a drink looking at the sunset,” he said

“It was during a time when people were taking in nature more at the start of Covid-19.

“I think it’s the best view of Bath and the picture is amazing – it could be a poster for Bath.”

Mr Lees captured the image of Bath’s skyline while on a walk through the fields overlooking Horseshoe Walk, above the canal in Widcombe.

He said Salem and Beth have both contacted him separately to verify they are the people in the picture.

“They were just in the right place at the right time and it created a story and a romantic twist – but on this occasion the wrong outcome,” he said.

“I think it’s unfortunate they split up as I would have loved to have given them a framed picture as a memento.

“But they’re still in contact with each other.”

The photographer has since decided to give them each a copy of the image and to also auction it off to raise money for charity.

“There’s a lot of cancer history in my family and I recently had it. It affects so many people.

“I also normally raise money for Dorothy Hospice so would like to give some to them too, but haven’t decided yet,” he added.

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