COMMUNITY groups wishing to enter The Northern Echo's environmental competition are running out of time

The deadline for Making A Difference, which is sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast, is Tuesday.

It was set up to pay tribute to volunteers working on community schemes which improve the quality of life in the towns and villages of the region.

Competition administrator John Dean said: "The quality of entries already received has been very high and the judges are going to have a tough job drawing up a shortlist and selecting a winner.

"The entries illustrate yet again the wide variety of community schemes being undertaken in the region.

"There is still time to enter and I hope as many community groups as possible do so."

Entries already submitted include restoration of a seafront wood, a wildflower planting scheme, a project to encourage recycling, several dealing with the monitoring of wildlife with a view to preserving their habitats and a number with an educational theme.

The prize will be presented by North-East environmentalist Professor David Bellamy following the selection of the winner by the judging panel, comprising John Dean, on behalf of The Northern Echo; Durham Wildlife Trust chief executive Richard Wood; and a representative of One NorthEast.

To enter, all you or your group needs to do is fill in the entry form published below. You can provide as much detail as you want and send photographs if you feel they illustrate your entry more effectively.