Camera manufacturers Nikon said they made an "honest mistake" after choosing a doctored image as the winner of their photography competition.

Nikon Singapore selected an entry by Chay Yu Wei of an aircraft apparently flying directly above a ladder.

Announcing the win, Nikon wrote on its Facebook page: "Yu Wei chanced upon a set of ladders while on a photowalk with his friends in Chinatown, and thought the view above would make an interesting perspective. Little did he expect to catch an airplane in mid-air."

But dozens of photographers pointed out on social media that it was clearly doctored and the entry has since been taken down.

Yu Wei, who uploaded the image to Instagram claiming he was "lucky" to have been there at the time when the plane flew past, apologised.

He said: "That small plane was just for fun and it was not meant to bluff anyone. I would have done it with photoshop if I really meant to lie about it.

"I crossed the line by submitting the photo for a competition. I meant it as a joke and I'm really sorry to Nikon for disrespecting the competition."

Nikon said that the competition was a "casual" contest and said the outcry was a reminder "that the true spirit of photograph is very much alive".

The photograph has since become a meme with people sharing on social media their own version of the snap.