LOCAL photographers are being invited to enter their best images into Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s annual photography competition.

The Trust holds the competition each year and includes the winning photographs in a calendar for the following year.

Wendy Carter, communications manager for the Trust, said: “The competition is popular with photographers across Worcestershire. Last year we had more than 250 photos entered by over 50 photographers.

“We’re always impressed not just with the quality of the photos but also with the range of wildlife that people are seeing.

“What we’re noticing more and more each year is just how much wildlife people are seeing in their own gardens.

“Last year’s winners included two photos taken in gardens as well as many photos taken in local neighbourhoods. This just goes to show that we can all do something in our gardens to help wildlife and that it’s all around us if we only take the time to look.”

The competition is open to all photographers as long as the images are captured somewhere in Worcestershire, Jason Curtis, who won the coveted front cover position in the calendar for two years running, before becoming a semi-professional photographer.

Ms Carter added: “We’re lucky enough to live in a fantastic county with beautiful countryside and some wonderful wildlife. Whilst our nature reserves provide stepping stones for wildlife to move through our countryside, most people enjoy watching wildlife in their gardens, towns and green spaces right on their doorstep.

“Wherever readers watch wildlife, we’d encourage them to keep a camera close to hand to make sure they can capture the action as it unfolds.

“Whether a bee or a beetle, a field of wildflowers or a hedgerow of blossom, a blue tit or a bittern, a wildlife-friendly garden or a sprawling living landscape, we’re looking for the inspiring and eye-catching species and wildlife places that reflect the wonder of our county’s natural world.”

The calendar will be sold to raise money for the Trust’s conservation work in Worcestershire, with 12 winning photographs being featured as A4 images, and one overall winner taking the front cover.

Images entered into the competition can also be considered for the Trust’s Christmas cards.

The closing date for the competition is Friday, April 10, and entry forms can be downloaded worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/photography-competition.

Previous winners can be seen at flickr.com/photos/worcestershirewildlifetrust.