A PHOTOGRAPHY competition celebrating the beauty of Dorset's countryside has been officially launched by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

All are welcome to submit their work for the competition, which will be judged in September before the winners are announced in November.

Richard Nicholls, chairman of the trustees for the Dorset branch of the CPRE, said: "This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves the unspoilt magic of the Dorset countryside as we do, and can capture it on their camera or phone."

Entrants can send in up to four photographs as part of the competition, with a top prize of £100 for the winner and £50 for the runner up on offer.

Both will also have their photographs shown in the Dorset CPRE Spring Review 2017, as well as on the organisation's website.

Countryside campaigner Rupert Hardy said: “We want lots of memorable photos of our beautiful countryside, which has been celebrated by Thomas Hardy among others, with its rolling chalk downland, secluded valleys and rare heathland, as well as our spectacular coastline.

"Villages, historic buildings and ancient monuments are, of course, all essential ingredients of the Dorset landscape too.

"Remember photos taken near dawn and dusk, or ones under stormy skies can be very effective.

"Black and white pictures as well as colour ones can be sent in, and please don't just photograph iconic sites like Corfe Castle."

Members of the Dorset CPRE Countryside Forum will judge the submissions later this year.

For more information, or to read the competition rules, visit dorset-cpre.org.uk

Photos can be sent to info@dorset-cpre.org.uk

The closing date is September 14.