CAPTURE YOUR VISION OF LIFE IN THE PEAK FOR CHARITY PHOTO CONTEST

The annual search to discover the best photographs of the Peak District National Park was launched today, with a special theme of “Life in the Peak”, by the charity that campaigns to protect the area’s beautiful scenery, Friends of the Peak District.

The top images will be unveiled at a special Awards Night ceremony in the early autumn.

2008 will be the fifth year we have run the competition and the quality of entries has increased every year, explains FPD Chief Executive Carol Robinson. Many wonderful pictures from previous years have been used illustrate our membership magazine and website, saving us an enormous cost in picture fees and helping to promote the beauty of our National Park and the need to protect it. We decided to introduce a broad theme this year to give photographers more interpretive freedom and to help find the kind of images so useful to the organisation. Everything from haymaking to local festivals, wildlife and conservation to community spirit and enjoying the outdoors would be eligible and we really look forward to seeing what striking images we receive.

The overall winner will receive a special canvas mounted print of their picture and winning images are used to illustrate FPD’s fundraising literature and publications throughout the year and twelve finalists will be selected and showcased on the charity’s website throughout 2009.

Wintry images of landscapes, towns and villages and wildlife will also be in line to be chosen for the Friends’ annual fundraising Christmas Cards.

National Parks are a priceless asset that belong to us all and the Peak District provides rest, relaxation and inspiration to million, continues Carol. We hope the competition will help to celebrate the beauty of the Peak District’s diverse countryside and celebrate the fact that it is a living, working landscape that needs us all to help protect it.

For a copy of the competition rules and an official entry form, contact Friends of the Peak District on tel@ 0114 266 5822 or alternatively download a form from our website. The closing date for all entries is Friday 30th May 2008.