George Reid said hosting the event in Scotland was "a great coup"

The World Press Photo exhibition, being held in Scotland for the first time, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Images from world events during 2005 included the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Holyrood's Presiding Officer George Reid said the images were "awe-inspiring".

The World Press Photo foundation is an independent platform for international press photography and was founded in Holland in 1955.

Its annual exhibition sees 13 judges assess images in 10 different categories.

Each year these images make a lasting impression on audiences worldwide George Reid Presiding Officer

The full programme of events for the competition will be revealed next month and the event will run from 22 August until 7 September.

Among the prize-winning photojournalists is Kieran Dodds, of The Herald and the Evening Times newspapers.

He was awarded first prize in the nature section for his photo story on the estimated eight million straw-coloured fruit bats that travel to the Kasanka Park in Zambia every October.

This year's competition attracted 4,448 photographers from 122 countries, and 98% of the 83,000 images submitted were in digital format.

Organisers said the exhibition is shown in 85 venues in 40 countries across the world.

The Festival of Politics is staging the event with the Scottish National Photography Centre.

'Bigger and better'

Mr Reid said: "The awe-inspiring images of the World Press Photo exhibition are not always comfortable viewing, but each year these images make a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.

"Bringing the exhibition to Holyrood as part of this year's Festival of Politics is a great coup.

"And with about 50 events taking place over four days, this summer's festival promises to be even bigger and better than the critically-acclaimed first Festival of Politics in 2005."

Last year's event included presentations and debate from Vanessa Redgrave, Andrew Marr, Neil Kinnock and Shirley Williams.