Microsoft has published a cracking software application for image stitching.

The theory goes that you shoot multiple images of a panorama and the software seamlessly glues them together. I’ve tried several numerous applications in the past and never managed to get them to work.

But the new Microsoft application is easy to use and works. I challenge you spot spot a seam or colour/contrast change. And it’s free.

Have a look at some images that myself and Flickr-mate Venn Diagram have created.

North Northumberland from Simonside, near Rothbury (4,474 x 720 pixels)

Fairground, Town Moor, Newcastle (1,502 x 491pixels)

City of London, from the south (1,559 x 551 pixels)

Natural wild swimming pool, Northumberland (4,386 x 907 pixels)

The application is called Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE). It works equally well with shots from a camera phone or an upmarket digital camera.  Download it and tinker.