IMAGES of the North Pennines landscape which have been captured by local photographers will go on display in a free exhibition opening next month, made possible by National Lottery funding.

Photographers were invited by the North Pennines AONB Partnership to frame their favourite North Pennines view as part of the Framing the Land competition held this summer.

The winning and shortlisted entries will go on display at the Witham in Barnard Castle from October 3 to October 26 and at Allendale Forge Studios from November 2 to 28.

Entrants were asked to capture the amazing geology and landscape of this part of the country, reflecting the characteristics that led to it being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark.

The winner of the adult category is Les Mann with his picture Winter at Bollihope taken in early 2019. The under 18s winner was 17-year-old A-level photography student Sam Pounder of Wolsingham with his picture Upper Teesdale which showed the Hush art installation by Steve Messam. Sam’s picture was also the runner up in the public vote. The public vote winner was Paul Collingwood with his picture of High Force.

Mr Mann said: “I have always been drawn to this area. I took early retirement and then went to work up at Killhope Lead Mining Museum for a couple of years, so I learned a lot about Weardale and the wider North Pennines. To me the area has got everything: it is incredibly beautiful but parts of it can be quite harsh with industrial scars which have now grown into the landscape.

“There is something very special about Bollihope. My parents took me there as a child and my wife and I have taken our children there and still visit regularly.”

Sam Pounder said: “I’m really pleased to have won this competition. I was really inspired by seeing the Hush installation in Teesdale. I primarily shoot landscapes around the North East, particularly in the North Pennines where I live.”

Public vote winner, Paul Collingwood from County Durham, took his picture of the Milky Way over High Force in August this year. Paul said: “I often photograph the North Pennines, spending a lot of time around Weardale and Teesdale. It’s always an honour when people appreciate your work, but to win the public vote amongst some great photography is something really special.”