Bermuda resident Phillip Jones has taken home the grand prize at the 42nd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival.

The Emergency Department physician ¿ and kite-making hobbyist ¿ received rave reviews for his Mao crown kite.

Dubbed 'The Great Leap Upward', the spectacular creation measured 15 inches in diameter and was designed in keeping with the event's Chinese theme.

It was the physician's first foray into the Masters' Kitemaker category and the first time he was presented with the grand prize although his submissions had won awards in various divisions in 2006 and 2007.

The 42nd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival was held in Washington, DC last Saturday.

Participants were challenged to create traditional Chinese kites for the event, which was themed to complement the Smithsonian Associates' current cluster of programmes on China.

Festival organisers said before the event: "This year, colourful, traditional Chinese kites will fly over the Washington Monument grounds, and we challenge you to create your own Chinese-inspired kite for our annual kite-making competition.

"Adult competitors will have an opportunity to vote for their peers. Each competitor in the Kitemaker and Master Kitemaker competitions has a chance to vote for their choices among the other competitors.

"Those votes will be tallied and will determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards in each category. In addition, a team of judges ranging from kite-making experts to local celebrities to museum staff will chose the Children's Awards, Ground Display, Theme Award and Grand Prize."