As preparations get underway to launch Rutland County Council's new website, the authority is looking for residents to put their very own stamp on the site by capturing life in Rutland.

Rutland County Council is launching a competition for budding photographers of all ages to have their snaps featured on a new council website, which is due to go live at the end of the year.

The council's current website is being redeveloped so that residents and service users can access online information more quickly and easily – particularly from smartphones and tablets.

To help put their very own stamp on the new site, Rutland residents are being asked to enter their photos based around the theme 'living in Rutland'. The council is hoping to get a range of images that capture what life in Rutland means to local people. This could be your favourite place to visit, a particular piece of scenery, how you like spending your spare time out and about in the county or just something that reminds you of your community. 

There are 3 categories to enter:

• Aged 14 and under
• Over 14 amateurs
• Professional

You can enter up to 3 of your best photos by sending them to [email protected] and ensuring you state your name, contact details, the category you are entering and a brief description of your entry in your email. Photos must be between 1–3 megabytes (mb) in size and the closing date for entries is the 31st of October 2022.

Sunflowers along the Egelton footpaths.

Following the closing date, a shortlisting panel will judge the photographs, scoring the entries and revealing a winner from each one of the categories along with 2 runner ups. The winners will be announced at the beginning of November.  

All those shortlisted will get their photos showcased on the homepage of the new website and be presented with a certificate. The overall winners of each category will also receive a £50 shopping voucher. Runners up will each receive a £25 voucher. 

Please read our full Terms & Conditions before entering. If you have any questions about the competition or how to take part, please email [email protected].

Rutland County Council's Cabinet Member for Change and Transformation, Cllr Karen Payne, said: "We are very excited to be launching our new website later this year and want our community to be able to be part of the process. Being able to use images that our residents have taken themselves will give the site that personal touch, along with highlighting the talent we have here in Rutland.

"I'd urge budding photographers of all levels to please get involved and enter the competition. We can't wait to see what you all capture."

Oakham Castle and All Saints' Church in the frost.