Residents of Heaton are being encouraged to submit pictures of the area to wow a panel of professional photographers and see their work put on display in the village.

Irene Coast, of the Heaton Township Association, has organised the 'Heaton in Photos' competition to allow people to show how much they value their neighbourhood.

Local judges Nudrat Afza and Joan Russell, who posed with their own prints yesterday, said they were looking for entries that "captured the essence" of the area.

“Heaton is a very special place, and I am confident that our entrants will surprise and enthral us," said Ms Afza, who showcased a picture of the now derelict Fountain Inn.

Ms Russell, who posed with a winter blizzard scene, said: "I'm looking for a picture that speaks to me, something authentic and taken with the heart."

Hard copies of the pictures need to be submitted by June 27, and there are separate categories, with prizes, for adults and children.

An exhibition of the photos will be held at St Barnabus Village Hall on July 19.

For further information and entry forms, call (01274) 546156.