A ST BLAZEY woman who took a winning shot of emperor penguins has told how her Antarctic trip became an emotional roller coaster after the group became stranded for four days.

Anne Randolph, 38, of St Blazey, said it was a dream come true for her and partner Steve Bulford when her father Mike offered to fund the three of them on their trip last November.

They left Argentina on a Russian icebreaker ship and crossed the Weddell Sea to the spot in the Antarctic to glimpse emperor penguin chicks and their parents in a colony.

But on arrival visibility was poor and the captain told the group the ship would have to turn around.

"I can't describe how low we felt at that point," said Anne.

"The visibility was zero and we couldn't even fly out in the helicopters as you just couldn't see.

"We managed to get three miles before the ship became stranded. We were left in a place where there was nothing.

"It was an emotional roller coaster – getting all that way and then facing the fact we may have little time with the penguins.

"Where we had previously set up camp nearer the colony we were able to see penguins exiting the water, when they jump out at speed, which was fantastic. But the ship was stuck in the middle of sea ice with nothing around. We weren't in danger and we had enough food, but we were starting to run a little low on water and had to take fewer showers."

After the conditions improved, a meeting was called to break the news that lots would be drawn for a final glimpse of the penguins the next morning before the ship returned.

Morale on board was low after a clear divide emerged among those lucky enough to have one more chance and those who had missed out.

However, their luck changed again as, unable to sail for another three days due to the wind direction, they were stranded once more with plenty of opportunity for penguin spotting.

The whole group, which included BBC's Blue Planet film crew, was treated to unlimited viewing time with the majestic penguins.

The group returned safely to Argentina six days late.

Anne, who works at the Eden Project, said: "It was amazing seeing the penguins and the whole trip was a complete adventure.

"Walking back to the colony was when I was able to take this picture. I have a lot of thank the photographer for. I have been told the shot is quite humorous.

"I'm delighted to have won."

Anne was told in February she had won the competition with Nomadic Travel – the company she booked the holiday with.

She also wanted to emphasise that the penguins are undisturbed by these visits, which happen three times a year under strict guidelines and supervision.