KEEN amateur photographers and schoolchildren are being given the chance to show off their talents.

The opportunity comes in Darwen Civic Society's 18th annual photographic exhibition.

The subject of this year's event is Parks and Open Spaces, including Sport and Leisure in Darwen'.

Entries, which are free, can be in colour or black and white but must be prints, not slides.

There will be £30, £25 and £20 prizes for the senior section, over 16 years, and £20, £15 and £12 for the junior sections, which include up to 11 years and 11 to 16 years.

There will also be a special prize for children who undertake project work through their school.

Winning entries will go on display at Darwen Library's exhibition room from Saturday, September 9 to Saturday, September 29.

Prizes are expected to be presented by the Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, at the library on Wednesday, September 13 at 6pm.

School entries must be taken to Darwen Library reception desk by July 10 and other entries by September 4, ahead of judging on September 5.

Application forms are available from the library or Darwen Town Hall.