TIMES readers may be interested to know of a competition being run by the Devon Hedge Group for amateur photographers — with more than £800 of prizes on offer.

As part of its project entitled 'Green Veins and Lanes' the group is running the free competition. The subject matter can be any aspect of a Devon hedge or of the wildlife therein.

The aim of the project is to promote the appreciation and conservation of hedges found across the county.

The competition is open to everyone and has two sections — 11 and under and open.

Prizes include a trip to Lundy Island and a compact camera with a built-in projector.

There are online entry forms — full details are on the website http://www.devonhedges.org">www.devonhedges.org

The organisers are not looking for a photo of the best hedge; a good photo of a badly kept hedge could just as easily win.

Website designer Peter Preston, of Okehampton, said: 'I really enjoyed designing this website, especially the online entry form which really simplifies online entry, and if for any reason people can't enter online they can just as easily email me their entries on [email protected]">[email protected]

The Devon Hedge Group represents the full range of interests associated with hedges in Devon, including agriculture, the conservation of wildlife and landscape, and historical and cultural values.

Other activities within the 'Green Veins and Lanes' project include a schools' art competition, making the first map showing all the distinctive types of hedge in the county, compiling an oral history of how hedges were looked after and used in times past, establishing a series of hedgerow trails around the county, collating an archive of historical photos, and laying on a range of training events to help people manage and understand hedges better.

Links to more information about all these activities can be found on the website http://www.devonhedges.org">www.devonhedges.org