BUDDING photographers in Maldon can get their phones and cameras at the ready for this year's Essex Wildlife Trust competition.

The charity's 2020 Photography Competition is now open for entries and with the beautiful natural surroundings provided in the town and district, local people are sure to find plenty of worthy material for their snaps. Entries must be photographs taken in Essex.

This year's competition is open until Monday, 30 November, and includes six separate categories:

• a wildlife motion picture: capturing those wild creature action shots

• captivating colours: a new category celebrating this year's symbol of hope, the rainbow. From colourful birds and animals through to colourful plants and landscapes

• gardener's world: focussing on wildlife in your garden

• pattern and texture: for those close-up shots showing the detail

• wilder Essex: another new category, for images that portray the unique beauty and diversity of wild Essex, be it rural or urban

• young blood: for six to 16-year-olds who have a talent for capturing the beauty of the natural world around them.

For full competition details, including terms and conditions and how to submit entries, visit the Essex Wildlife Trust website