ORGANISERS of The Great North Photography Competition are hoping more children and teenagers will enter the contest.

The event has received more than 100 entries in the 18-and-over category, but only a handful from youngsters.

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.

Sheelagh Caygill, new media editor at The Northern Echo, said: "The response from adults has been excellent and we have received some fabulous entries.

"I know there are some keen young photographers out there and so I hope parents and teachers will encourage children to enter."

Amateur photographers who have photo messaging on their mobile phones are also encourage to e-mail a picture.

The competition is open to anyone in the North-East and North Yorkshire and has two age categories, under-18s and 18 and over.

A winner in each category will be selected, and each will receive £150.

Readers without Internet access can send entries to The Great North Photography Competition, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF. Include a piece of paper with your name, age, full contact details and where the picture was taken.

The picture must have been taken this year and the closing date for entries is Friday, September 26.

For full rules and to see the entries, log on to www.thisis thenortheast.co.uk/gnpc/inde x.html