SOUTH West Lakes Trust and South West Water are holding a photo competition to encourage people of all ages to make the most of the fantastic photo opportunities at their lakes across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset.

The Lakes of the South West are popular among amateur and professional photographers alike and photo opportunities are endless.

There will be four categories: the beauty of water, people, activities and flora and fauna.

Photos must be taken at one of South West Lakes Trust lakes. A prize of £250 will be awarded to the overall winner and £100 for each individual category winner. Runner up prizes will also be awarded.

The 'Love your Lakes' photo competition is free to enter and will be judged by Evelyn Stacey, chief executive of South West Lakes Trust, Monica Read, customer relations and business development director of South West Water and a trustee of South West Lakes Trust and professional news and sport photographer Richard Austin. 

Richard has been working at the top end of the newspaper and magazine industry for more than a quarter of a century. His photographs are used all over the world in newspapers and magazines, and as a modern day media photographer his ability enables him to adapt his work not only to news and sport but also in the expanding business world of public relations and website photography.

Evelyn Stacey said: 'Entering this competition with images of our stunning lakes is a great way to share your experiences with people who might not have the chance otherwise to get out and enjoy the countryside. It also helps us to build up a picture of changing seasons and how different weather conditions can show our favourite landmarks in an entirely new light.'

For more information contact Rosie Beck, South West Lakes Trust Marketing and Publicity Officer by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or by calling 01566 771930.