A 12-YEAR-old Teesdale schoolgirl is to have one of her photographs featured on a 2003 calendar, copies of which find their way to the four corners of the globe.

Katie Walton of Barnard Castle has been entering the annual Focus on Teesdale competition, organised by Rosie Cross, the district council's arts development officer, since she was eight, but it is the first time that one of her pictures has been chosen to make up the calendar. Her shot of a snow-covered Whistle Crag near Middleton in Teesdale is the image for January.

"My grandad, Alan Wright, is a keen photographer and has given me a few tips since I became interested," said Katie, a pupil at Teesdale School. Her shot of Whistle Crag was taken on a digital camera and printed out on computer.

"I took lots of shots and then picked the best," she added.

Her success earned her a £25 prize, but she is undecided as to what she will spend it on.

"I don't think it will be photographic equipment, as it is just a hobby for me at the moment," said Katie. "But it is a nice feeling to know that one of my photos will hung on walls throughout the world."

The overall winner was Geoffrey Freeman of Winston with what the judges described as a stunning and imaginative shot of a stile at the edge of Middleton in Teesdale. He receives £50 and his picture will grace the front cover of the new calendar.

Other winners, representing February to December, were: Anthony Todhunter of Bowes, Christine Martin of Staindrop, Carol Grey and Kathleen Teward of Middleton in Teesdale, Derrick Wilkinson of Rokeby Park, Maurice Clark of Barnard Castle, Lynn Todhunter of Bowes, Kathleen Harle and Richard Harle of Stainton Village, John Collings of Barnard Castle and Patricia Kearton of Boldron, who all win £25.

Judges were photographer Geoffrey Mash of Northallerton, Coun Mary Mitchell and Michael Rudd, of Walks Plus, Darlington.

The calendar photographs will appear as tear-off postcards, and will be in the shops in late July. There will be an exhibition of all entries at the Castle Gallery in Barnard Castle from September 5-11.