FOLLOWING the huge success of last year's 'Love your Lakes' photo and video competition, South West Lakes Trust and South West Water have decided to hold it again this year.

The competition, now in its third year, is to encourage people of all ages to make the most of the fantastic photo and filming opportunities at their lakes across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset.

The Lakes of the South West are popular among amateur and professional photographers and videographers alike; the opportunities are endless.

This year there will be three photo categories – the beauty of water, activities and flora and fauna and two video categories – nature and action. Photos and videos must be taken at one of South West Lakes Trust lakes. £250 will be awarded to the overall winning photograph and video and £100 for each individual category winner. Runner up prizes will also be awarded.

The 'Love your Lakes' photo and video competition is free to enter and will be judged by Evelyn Stacey, chief executive of South West Lakes Trust, Monica Read, customer relations and business development director of South West Water and also a trustee of South West Lakes Trust and renowned professional news and sport photographer Richard Austin.

Evelyn said: 'Everyone in our area has a lake within 30 minutes' drive of their home, providing a perfect setting for perfecting photography skills. Throughout the year the landscape changes, shadows lengthen and shorten and greenery appears and disappears, giving photographers the fascinating challenge of capturing their favourite locations in differing stages. I really look forward to judging the competition each year, knowing that it is a great leveller, open to people of all ages and abilities.'

 Monica added: 'The photographs entered in this competition over the past two years confirm for me that the work we do for recreation and nature at our reservoirs is so worthwhile.

'They reveal the myriad ways people enjoy the lakes, whether for sport and recreation or for pleasure in the natural beauty and wildlife and it is always a treat to see this through the eyes of the people who visit the lakes and cherish them.'

l Send your photos and videos via Dropbox to [email protected]">[email protected].

More information can be found on the South West Lakes Trust website http://www.swlakestrust.org.uko">www.swlakestrust.org.uko