ARE you a budding photographer? Are you interested in the world around you?

Have you ever thought "Why does this happen?" Could you take a photograph which shows the wonder of science?

As part of the York Festival of Science and Technology 2006, the Evening Press has teamed up with Science City York to run a science photography competition with some incredible prizes.

Inspired by BBC TV presenter and science photographer Adam Hart-Davis, the competition theme is Seeing The Wonder Of Science, challenging people of all ages to show how science is interesting, creative and fun.

The judges are looking for an attention-grabbing image that gives insight into the world of science.

It may be taken where you live or work, on your travels - could be of the weather, a place, food, sport, animals, plant life or people.

It is open to both adults and children, with a range of great prizes available for each category.

The closing date is February 17 , 2006.

Adam Hart-Davis, who will help to judge the competition, said: "Science is everywhere in the world around us. Not only does it provide us with marvellous opportunities to take stunning photographs, but photography can be extremely helpful in understanding why things happen, and even in making scientific discoveries.

"I think the Science City York photography competition is a wonderful idea and I look forward to seeing the results."

The expert panel of judges also includes Garry Fry, senior photographer at the Central Science Laboratory, and Evening Press picture editor Martin Oates.

Mr Oates said: "This is the first contest of its kind to be held in York and I am sure it will inspire amateur photographers and budding scientists across the city to create some exciting and interesting images."

A selection of the adult and children's entries will be published on the Science City York website and exhibited at the Guildhall during the York Festival of Science and Technology. The results will be announced on March 18 and prizes presented at the York Festival of Science and Technology Discovery Days, by Mr Hart-Davis.

A selection of winning pictures will appear in the Evening Press.

Organised by Science City York, York Festival of Science and Technology comprises a diverse series of fun and interactive events all designed to bring science to life.

Scheduled to take place from March 10 to 19, the festival will highlight the range of employment and training opportunities available to people in the York area. Last year's festival attracted more than 6,000 visitors.

In the adult category there are some fabulous prizes including: an Adobe Photoshop CS2 Training Course worth £500; a day out with an Evening Press photographer and up to £200 of photographic vouchers.

In the children's categories prizes include: a digital camera, a photo printer and up to £50 of photographic vouchers.

All winners will receive a signed copy of Mr Hart-Davis's book Why Does A Ball Bounce?, which answers 100 essential questions about life and the universe.

Anna Rooke, manager of Science City York said: "The photography

competition is a great opportunity to encourage local people to explore the exciting world of science.

"We hope this competition will help encourage local people of all ages to take an active interest in science and take the first steps into an area that provides exciting career opportunities and well-paid jobs."

How to enter:

There are four categories; adults (aged 16 and over), school

children, years 1 to 6, years 7 to 9 and years 10 and 11.

Complete the coupon printed here and submit it with your entries. Each entrant can send a maximum of thr ee photographs.

Send in your photographs by email as a jpeg file (up to 1 MB) to: science.city@york.gov.uk or by post on disk or a print (up to 7 X 5 inches) to: Seeing the Wonders of Science Photography Competition, Science City York, 20 George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6WR.

Updated: 10:29 Monday, November 21, 2005