TWO countryside images showing green fields and rolling hills have captured the eyes of judges in the Great North Photography Competition.

The adult winner was Above West Burton, by John Walton, and the under-18s category was won by Ami Walker, with Roseberry Topping, near Guisborough, east Cleveland.

They were selected by Mike Gibb, The Northern Echo's chief photographer, and amateur photographer Sean Leonard.

The pictures were chosen from almost 200 entries and judges had a tough task selecting the winners.

Mr Gibb said: "It was not easy. I was amazed at the quality of the pictures.

"The two winning entries had something a little bit different. They are nicely composed and you can see some effort has gone into them."

The competition, hosted by The Northern Echo and sponsored by Orange, encouraged amateur photographers to capture the North-East and North Yorkshire on film or memory card. The winners share £300.

Mr Walton, 58, said he was out walking one winter morning when he looked down on West Burton, in North Yorkshire. He said: "It was perfect, very atmospheric."

A farmer from Middleton-St-George, Mr Walton said photography and walking were among his hobbies. He has been taking pictures for more than 30 years and has thousands of images.

Ami Walker, 15, also lives in Middleton-St-George, and has been interested in photography for a year.

She said: "I felt my entry presented a different view of Roseberry Topping. I am happy with it."

People receiving honourable mentions in the adult category were George Ledger, who submitted Sunrise at St Mary's Lighthouse, and George Whitfield, with the entry Sunrise at Hendon beach.

Honourable mentions in the under-18s section went to Andrew Fryatt, with Puffins on the Farne Islands, and Christopher Hall, who entered with a picture of Whitworth Park.

Maureen Dixon, regional public relations manager with Orange, said: "I look through the entries and see an excellent gallery of pictures. Some of them are really beautiful."

To see the entries, go to www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/gnpc/index.html