...Paul & I got three more merits from the SWPP. I say unofficially as they haven't posted the page where they announce the merits but the scores have been put up alongside the images on the competition page itself (SWPP)

I guess you could say the SWPP is the equivalent of the WPPI and it judges on this basis:
Exceptional- 95-100- Merit
Superior- 94-90- Merit
Excellent- 85-89- Merit
Deserving Of A Merit- 80-84- Merit
Deserving Of A Review (Above Average)- 76-79
Average- 74-75
Acceptable- 70-73
Unacceptable- 0-69

Paul got two merits both scoring 80 for the following two images:

And I'm super chuffed because I scored 85 and from having looked at previous scores not many people have the honor to say they got over 80. I was also very surprised because it was one of those shots you're not sure about and you think "shall I, shan't I enter it"! I'm glad I did!

There were also a couple of 79 scores...

The question is, how do you turn a 79 into an 80? Anyone?!