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

The Darlington & Stockton Times is 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 North-East and North Yorkshire.

"We are encouraging adults and children to send in their best picture of the region," said Sheelagh Caygill, digital media editor of the Darlington & Stockton Times. The picture must be taken in 2004 and can be anything or place in the region, although family shots and portraits will not be accepted.

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.

In addition, a new category has been added this year - the camera phone category, which seeks the best picture taken by anyone of any age using a mobile phone.

A winner in each category will be selected, and 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.

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

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