A Black Isle wood carver saw off competition from around the world to be named champion with a chainsaw.

Ian Chalmers won Saturday's Carve Carrbridge contest, beating last year's winner, the American Bob King.

Ian carved a group of four bears to take the event's Claymore trophy.

"I felt like the local boy against the best in the world," said Ian, from Culbokie,

"I love carving bears so thought I would do something that I love doing. When I carve bears I normally do vertical groups but for a change I decided to try a horizontal composition. I did not think I would win but I thought it would be popular."

The champion, who has been carving for eight years, has previously finished third and fourth in the contest. It was sixth time taking part in the competition.

Bob King, from Washington state in the US, came second with a carving of an eagle swooping down on a hare. "The crowds were spectacular with their support, and that drives us to work even harder in the competition," he said."

Carve Carrbridge was organised in the Highland village, north of Aviemore, by a team of volunteers.

Competitors from across the UK, as well as from the US, Denmark and Germany, all took part.