IT IS not often reporters get the chance to show off their photographic skills, so when I was told I would be snapping away while covering my stories for the day, I grabbed the chance with both hands - until I saw my equipment.

I regularly use small digital cameras when talking to people in the street for our Your Thoughts section in the letters page, but this was the first time I had been charged with capturing images on a phone.

As I drove around Swindon in search of stories I was instructed to pull out my mobile any chance I could to illustrate my working day.

The first job I was sent out on was a pancake competition in the town centre, and as I pulled out my phone to grab pictures of those taking part, I was conscious of looking like some mad tourist.

However, the competitors' excitement instantly quelled my nerves, as both men and women began to pose and do little jigs in hopes of finding their way into the paper.

When the race finished the winner, Bernie Maguire, amazed me further by calling me over to him, as I had apparently missed his picture the first time around'.

Feeling more confident after the enthusiasm shown by the pancake entrants, I strode to my next job feeling more the intrepid photographer than the mobile phone snapper.

I arrived at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street at 10.30am to speak to petitioners about their plans to save the Old Town Library.

This group were a bit more vocal, as there were 30 of them, so I had to use my mobile camera to get their attention.

Although getting everyone organised was a bit more of a task.

I was eventually able to snap a few pictures of the group, as they celebrated the library remaining open for another year. After these two jobs I was forced to return to the office and write up my stories. However, something within me yearned for more photo action.

So I was overjoyed when my news editor told me I would be going out again to hone my skills on a Down Your Street feature on the Railway Village.

The first two contacts were eager to have their pictures taken in front of the Mechanics' Institute.

And during the photo shoot a man even offered his services as a male model, raising his pint in the Cricketers Pub, much to my delight.

When I finally sat down at my desk back to the familiarity of my keyboard and monitor, I reflected on how easy my task had actually been - the pictures weren't that bad either.

Mobile phone photography has not seen the last of me.

Mobile moments

WE want to see your mobile pictures!

Whether it's of your mate's birthday party, your dog covered in mud, or something which made you smile, send them in.

And you could earn yourself a tenner!

Each day for three weeks, we will be picking our favourite picture and publishing it in the paper. Each published picture will earn £10.

Please text your picture to 80360, starting your message with Swindon News (space) + your name and contact number.

Entries will also be shown in our online picture gallery at swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/mobilemoments.

Winning pictures will be chosen at the editor's discretion. Normal Newsquest rules apply.