The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has announced the launch of its first-ever national photo competition – in association with national property consultants Smiths Gore.

As part of its centenary celebrations throughout 2007, the CLA is on a quest to find the best photo which captures the spirit of rural life. The competition encourages everyone to record in an imaginative way, the work that land managers and farmers do in order to maintain and enhance the countryside.

CLA President, David Fursdon, said: ?The CLA?s centenary year will see us continuing to promote the positive aspects of land management and land ownership, as we?ve done throughout our first 100 years. The photo competition is our way of encouraging people to visit the countryside and enjoy the beauty that farmers and land managers work hard to preserve.

?We are urging people to send in their photos of landscapes, wildlife and livestock, in addition to those that display particular activities, such as people working in a farm shop, a village fete, dry-stone walling, or simply out enjoying the countryside. With the competition running until 31 August 2007, there?ll be plenty of time for dramatic and creative entries that highlight our contrasting seasons.?

The CLA Centenary Photo Competition is open to anyone of all ages, with an under 18 year old category to encourage younger budding photographers. The top prize includes £500, a day?s photography tuition, and a year?s subscription to The Field magazine. There will also be regional monthly prizes and £100 going to the national winner of the under 18 category.

For entry details visit: www.cla.org.uk/photography

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