Swansea Canal Offers Splash Of Inspiration To Photographers

6 September 2005

Amateur photographers could win £1,000 of photography equipment with a super shot of the Swansea Canal.

This scenic waterway is the perfect subject for entries to the BBC's Countryfile Photographic Competition 2005, which has 'water' as its theme. With a closing date of Friday 9 September, there's just time to capture that special image.

From lovely landscapes to a wealth of wildlife, the Swansea Canal offers a range of subjects for budding photographers.

Photographs can be taken using traditional or digital cameras, and entrants may submit up to four images, either as prints or slides, in colour or black and white.

Joining Countryfile's John Craven to judge the entries are broadcaster and wildlife photographer Chris Packham and comedienne Jo Brand. Together they will select a shortlist of the twelve best photographs.

The photograph chosen by Countryfile viewers in a telephone poll will take the top prize of £1,000 of photography equipment. The judges' favourite photograph will win £500-worth of holiday vouchers which can be used for a British boating holiday or a break in a waterside cottage or hotel.

The twelve best images from the competition will appear in the Countryfile Calendar 2006, which will be sold in aid of the BBC's Children in Need appeal

Each entry should be marked with the photographer's name and address and where the photo was taken, and should be sent to Countryfile Photo Competition 2005, BBC, The Mailbox, Birmingham , B1 1RF .

For further information about the competition visit www.bbc.co.uk

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For more information contact: Susan Lane , Service Manager, Wales and Border Counties on 01606 723810 and 07917 327855 or Andy Goss, Senior Engineer, Wales & Border Counties on 01873 832051 and 07887 545561.

EDITOR'S NOTES:

British Waterways is the public corporation responsible for the care and maintenance of the UK 's 2,000 mile, 200-year-old network of canals and navigable rivers. British Waterways works in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations to develop and improve the waterways in a sustainable manner for the benefit of everyone. Our navigations are visited over 160 million times a year by 10 million people, who spend around £1.5 billion annually. In addition, British waterways estimates that waterways regeneration has acted as a catalyst for £2 billion of regeneration investment. Find out more at www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Waterscape.com is the perfect place to find a waterside break, whether you're interested in a boating holiday, or simply want to enjoy spending time by the water. Visit Waterscape.com for a full range of services including:

Waterscape.com promotes and provides information on all waterways in the UK , including rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, working in conjunction with the Environment Agency, The Boards Authority and British Waterways. It is also partnering with boat hire companies, holiday cottage operators and other waterside businesses whose products and services are available through the website www.waterscape.com