THREE local MPs have swapped politics for photography - and will see their work displayed in a prestigious Westminster picture exhibition.

York's Labour MP Hugh Bayley, and Tories John Greenway and Greg Knight, from Ryedale and East Yorkshire respectively, will all have their work exhibited at the Jessops Parliamentary Photography Competition.

The yearly contest sees MPs and members of the House of Lords go head to head over photography instead of politics.

The five best will receive a £100 grant for a community group in their area.

About 300 pictures were entered in total, with subjects ranging from poverty problems in the developing world to wildlife or favoured holiday destinations.

Mr Bayley entered a picture of Ghanaian children playing underneath a waterfall.

The shot was taken while he was working in the African country with the International Development Select Committee.

He said: "While there we had a day off so I travelled to the town of Bergoro, which is in the Fanteakwa district and twinned with York, which is where the picture was taken.

"I was pleased with the way it came out and was thrilled to bits it was chosen to be exhibited. Photography is something I have always enjoyed."

Mr Greenway caught a stunning image of a young long-eared owl while he was on holiday in France.

He said: "It was one of those rare opportunities to capture a moment that happens every now and then, when you just happen to have the camera to hand.

"I was very pleased to get into the exhibition, I snap away like everyone else, but I don't regard myself as a professional amateur photographer."

Mr Knight's picture was of three classic cars cruising stylishly through a snowy scene in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, with a 1952 Allard, which he owns, in the foreground.

He said: "I would call myself a keen amateur photographer. I was very pleased to have a picture exhibited, they are very strict and only about 20 per cent of the pictures submitted ever see the light of day."

Selected images from the exhibition will be displayed at Jessops stores across the UK later this year.

For more details ring 0116 2326473.

Updated: 09:04 Thursday, May 01, 2003