Budding photographers have been called on by the Environment Agency to take pictures of local freshwater sites that are important to them – such as ponds, canals, streams and rivers – to support a UN-backed competition.

Its all part of H2O03, the UK’s official contribution to the UN International Year of Freshwater and the images are needed for an online ‘living’ archive of UK freshwater locations to be launched in September.

Great prizes are also on offer for the best photographs, including holidays at Center Parcs, trips to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centres and hundreds of pounds-worth of photographic equipment.

"This online National Collection of freshwater sites will demonstrate the importance of these locations to people and wildlife - and the need to protect them - so we want to make sure all areas of the country are well represented," says Andrew Skinner, the Environment Agency’s Head of Environmental Quality.

"We're interested in any site - from ponds to streams, canals, lakes or rivers – as long as it is local to the entrant. It could be a place where people walk, work, fish, or even use as an educational resource – there are so many examples in this country.”

"As well as being a ‘living’ archive for the country to enjoy, the National Collection should also help people working on legislation that protects and improves our freshwater resources."

Photographs can be submitted by post or via the H2O03 website. All entry details can be found at www.H2O03.org.uk.