THE judge in The Great North Photography Competition has given some tips to amateur photographers planning to enter the contest.

Mike Gibb, chief photographer of The Northern Echo, said that when judging begins, after September 24, he will be looking for images that are quite different in the winning pictures.

"It won't necessarily be a postcard-type picture or snapshot that will win," he said.

"I'll be looking for something quite different. I'd like to see a photograph that has good composition and that shows conscious and good use of light."

Mr Gibb said entrants might want to consider taking their picture in either the early morning or early evening, when the light can be at its best.

The competition, hosted by The Northern Echo and sponsored by Orange, encourages amateur photographers to capture the North-East and North Yorkshire on film or memory card, or through mobile phone camera.

The competition has two age categories, under-18s and 18 and over. A third category has been added this year - mobile phone camera.

A winner in each category will receive a prize valued at £100.

Readers without Internet access can post their best photograph to The Great North Photography Competition, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF. Include a slip of paper indicating your name, age, full contact details and where the picture was taken.

To enter online or for full details of the rules, visit www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/gnpc/index.html