AMATEUR photographers are being urged to capture the regeneration of their community on film.

About £45m of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) money is being spent on run-down and poor areas in County Durham.

The funding is going to hundreds of environmental, educational and community-based initiatives. The programme operates until March 2007.

A photographic competition is being held to highlight the work that is being carried out.

Alan Townsend, chairman of the County Durham SRB Partnership, said: "This is an opportunity for those involved to take a photo of what they are doing and win a prize.

"There is a lot of fantastic work being done by County Durham communities and we know that many of the people involved are recording what is taking place.

"We are keen to see as many photos as we can because the work that is being carried out is so diverse and will provide fantastic opportunities for pictures."

The winning photos will be published on the programme's website and in a calendar for next year. There are various donated prizes.

There are also plans to hold a touring exhibition of the best entries.

For application packs, log on to www.iricd.co.uk, or call Durham County Council's regeneration team on 0191-383 3162.