AMATEUR camera buffs throughout the Bury area now have the chance to give themselves and their talent bags of exposure. For Bury Photographic Society has launched its open photographic competition and entries are being sought from all over the borough.

It's only the third time in its illustrious 116-year history that the Society has held such a competition.

Winners in each category will receive cash prizes and their entries will take centre stage at a photographic exhibition next month at Bury Art Gallery.

Anyone with a really attractive or interesting print is invited to enter the competition.

The selected best entries will go on show at the gallery between June 20 and July 25.

There are three sections (ages at June 1 this year): junior (under 13); intermediate (13-17) and adult (over 18).

Cash prizes in each section will be £20 for the best picture and £10 each for the two runners-up.

All winners and runners-up will be given free membership to the Society. Membership for those under 18 is subject to parental approval.

Everyone having a picture accepted for the exhibition will receive a certificate.

Entry forms are available from the art gallery and photographic shops and a £1 entry fee is charged for up to three prints. Anyone wishing to enter more can submit extra forms.

Prints, both monochrome and colour, should be unmounted and any size up to a maximum of 20 x 30cm (8 x 12inch).

Entries must be delivered to the gallery with a completed entry form and fee by May 30.

Judging will be by three qualified Society members. The exhibition will be opened by Bury's new mayor, Councillor Connie Fitzgerald, at 3pm on Saturday, June 20. The mayor will also present the prizes.

Prints must be collected from the gallery at the close of the exhibition.

For further details contact Bury Art Gallery.

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