Youngsters click for camera contest

Youngsters from Chalkwell Schools are joining others from across Southend and Rochford to take photos of their local green spaces.

They will submit these for The Big Picture competition sponsored in south east Essex by Olympus Cameras. The closing date for the contest is Wednesday 1st June, and all their entries will be on display, before judging starts, on http://www.urbanhabitats.co.uk/

This project, which has also been launched in The Netherlands and Belgium is open all young people up to 18 years old. Prizes include the latest Olympus Cameras with one additional camera presented to the school or college where one overall winner is educated.

The Big Picture competition is part of an EU-funded partnership to foster an appreciation of all our green spaces, particularly those in Urban Habitats, close to towns and cities.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), the Rotterdam Water Board and the Flemish Land Agency, are the key partners in the initiative which is being further supported by Rochford District Council.

The Big Picture is open to schoolchildren aged from five to 18. In this area, pupils from every school in Southend and Rochford are eligible to enter. Prizes will be presented in three categories: five to ten year-olds; 11 to 14-year-olds; and 15 to 18-year-olds Entry forms are available from http://bigpicture.cfanewmedia.co.uk 

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Parks Technical Officer, Paul Jenkinson said: "We would encourage as many young people as possible in Southend and Rochford to take part in this exciting and enjoyable project 

"For this competition, any local park, seafront area or other open space within the boundaries of Southend and Rochford will count as a green space. 

"Judges will look for pictures reflecting the character of each open space. This could include animal insect or plant life, leisure facilities such as playgrounds and restaurants or simply an overview."