YOUNG photographers are invited to get advice and tips on entering an inaugural competition at an event this weekend.

The This Is My Durham contest, open to anyone aged 16 and under, invites young people to send in a favourite photo they have taken showing what Durham City means to them.

Prizes up for grabs include guided tours of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle and membership of Durham University’s Botanic Garden and Durham Wildlife Trust.

A Foto-Fest is being held at Durham Town Hall on Saturday, where members of Durham Photographic Society (DPS) will offer advice to would-be contestants.

Free A4 photo print outs will also be available, plus the first 200 competition entrants will have their image specially mounted to take away.

The event runs from 10am to 3pm.

Judging for the contest will take place next week (Tuesday, July 29) and the best photos will be exhibited at Durham Town Hall during September.

Peter Jackson, vice-chairman of Durham Chamber of Trace – which is organising the event with the DPS, said: “We’ve put together some great prizes and the chance for young photographers to get expert advice on their photography.

“Durham City has a wealth of opportunities for some great photography so we’re looking forward to seeing how our young people see life in their city in 2014.

“We hope that this year will be a successful launch pad for an annual event, maybe developing the format so we can work more directly with schools and other local community organisations.”

Joe Grabham, from DPS, said: “This Is My Durham aims to help more young people get into photography.

“It’s a fun, interesting and rewarding hobby and new technology makes it much easier to learn and develop photo skills.”

For further details, call Peter Jackson on 07743-968-240 or visit durhamps.co.uk