INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY WINS INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

DAVID ROSE has won one of Europe's most prestigious photojournalism prizes for a picture of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams published in 'The Independent on Sunday'.

The award was presented last week by President Jacques Chirac at a special ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris. A panel of seven executive journalists from leading publications across the continent judged Mr Rose's striking portrayal of Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President, the year's best picture of a European political figure. Mr Rose won the Georges Bendrihem Prize, worth 25,000 francs (pounds 2,700).

The photograph, taken in December last year, accompanied an interview with Mr Adams on the eve of his historic first visit to Downing Street.

Mr Rose, who has been with 'The Independent on Sunday' since its launch in 1990, said: "It is interesting to compare people's reactions to my photograph. In this country people have looked on it as a dark, shadowy picture of a politician at the edge whereas in Europe people see it as showing an individual - as President Chirac said at the presentation - with the weight of peace on his shoulders."

PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE: BRIAN HARRIS