Spectacular coastlines, moors and valleys - the North-East and North Yorkshire provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Now, The Northern Echo is once again encouraging amateur photographers to capture the region on film, memory card or camera phone.

Presented in association with Orange, The Great North Photography Competition aims to celebrate the landscape and communities of the area.

Sheelagh Caygill, digital media editor at The Northern Echo, said: "We are encouraging adults and children to send in their best picture of the North-East or North Yorkshire."

The picture must be taken in 2004 and can be any thing or place in the region, although family shots and portraits will not be accepted.

Maureen Dixon, regional public relations and sponsorship manager at Orange, said: "It's great to be able to support a initiative that celebrates our region - its places, people and culture.

"Everyone sees things differently and this is one of the most exciting parts of this project as it provides new images of the familiar and not so familiar."

Entries can be in any format and can include digital photos, phone photos or traditional film prints.

The competition has two age categories in the film and digital sections - under-18s and 18 and over.

A new category has been added this year: the camera phone category seeks the best picture taken by anyone of any age using a mobile phone.

A winner in each category will be selected. Each winner will receive a £100 prize.

A selection of some of the best entries will be published online, and the winning entries may be published in the paper at the close of the competition.

The winners will be chosen from a shortlist by Mike Gibb, chief photographer of The Northern Echo.

For full competition rules and how to enter, log on to www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/gnpc/index.html.

The closing date is 5pm, Friday, September 24.