YOUNGSTERS are being given the opportunity to pick up a camera and flex their creative muscles in a competition being launched next month.

Richmond Rotary Club is searching for the young photographer of the year – but organiser Jos Huddleston said he wants all young people to get involved, whether they have a top of the range device or a simple camera on their phone.

The competition is open to children in Richmond and Catterick aged seven to 17, and the top prize is a full day photographer experience with competition judge and landscape photographer Garry Brannigan.

Mr Huddleston said: “I wanted to give this opportunity to young people who are interested in photography, but I also want to encourage those who might have a family camera at home, or a camera phone, that they can still be creative.

“The prize is really fantastic, anyone interested in learning more about taking pictures will learn a lot from Garry Brannigan, and there is also cash prizes for the top three in each category.”

There are three age groups, from seven to 10; 11 to 13; and 14 to 17 – and there is categories for individuals, school photo montages and mobile phone photos for each of the age groups.

The theme of the competition is a ‘moment in time’, which can include a time of day, animals on the move, movement in nature, a heritage scene, or a human activity. Mr Huddleston said: “Two years ago we ran a heritage project which was fantastic and produced some really super booklet for the schools in the area that took part. It was a real success and I was really proud of the book that came out of it."

Mr Huddleston, who runs the vocational side of the Richmond Rotary club, said while the club does a lot of projects for the community, this competition was his idea.

"I think photography is something that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities, and hopefully some youngsters new to it will catch the bug."

Also judging the competition are Ian Armstrong, Richmond Rotary photographer, and freelance press photographer Emily Carey.

The competition will be launched on January 12 and a selection will be displayed at Richmondshire Museum in June. The deadline is May 22. Contact Mr Huddleston on 01748-822816 or joshuddleston@yahoo.co.uk.