Prizes on offer for freshwater photos

Budding photographers have been called on by the Environment Agency (EA) to take pictures of local freshwater sites that are important to them – such as ponds, canals, streams and rivers – to support a United Nations-backed competition.

The images are needed for an online ‘living archive' of UK freshwater locations to be launched in September as part of H2O03, the UK initiative to celebrate the UN International Year of Freshwater.

Prizes are also on offer for the best photographs, including holidays at Center Parcs, trips to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centres and hundreds of pounds-worth of photographic equipment.

Andrew Skinner, EA head of environmental quality said: "This online National Collection of freshwater sites will demonstrate the importance of these locations to people and wildlife - and the need to protect them - so we want to make sure all areas of the country are well represented."

He added: "We're interested in any site - from ponds to streams, canals, lakes or rivers – as long as it is local to the entrant. It could be a place where people walk, work, fish, or even use as an educational resource – there are so many examples in this country. As well as being a ‘living’ archive for the country to enjoy, the National Collection should also help people working on legislation that protects and improves our freshwater resources."

Photographs can be submitted by post or via the H2O03 website. All entry details can be found there at www.H2O03.org.uk. The closing date for the competition is 22 August, 2003.