A NEW challenge is being launched for imaginative photographers of all ages.

Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership is mounting a photography competition during the school summer holidays.

The brief is that all pictures must be taken through a train window - from a platform or train.

And photographs must be captured on the Mid Cheshire Railway line, anywhere on stations from Manchester to Chester via Altrincham.

Knutsford Guardian: Photographer Paul Worpole, Steve Forde of Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, Vicky Bainbridge-Sales and Amanda Rooney of Egerton Primary School with year 5 pupils Photographer Paul Worpole, Steve Forde of Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership, Vicky Bainbridge-Sales and Amanda Rooney of Egerton Primary School with year 5 pupils

Community rail officer Steve Forde said: “We hope this competition uncovers some budding photographers in our community.

“We have secured two great local photographers to judge the entries and there is plenty of variety along our line – countryside to city, market town to canals.”

The competition runs from Monday, July 25 and closes at midnight on August 31.

Great prizes are up for grabs aimed at encouraging people to explore cities, towns, attractions and countryside along the Mid Cheshire Line.

The competition will be judged in three age groups – 5-11 years, 11-18 years and 18 plus.

“We are extremely grateful for Cheshire photographers John Horsley and Paul Worpole for giving up their time to judge, said Steve.

“And there is plenty of variety along our line – countryside to city, market town to canals.

“You can photograph from inside a train or from the platform – people, landscapes, or buildings, just get creative and get snapping.”

Knutsford Guardian: Sandra Curties on a trainSandra Curties on a train

Prizes in each age category include two return tickets for anywhere along the west coast mainline, two return tickets for anywhere in the Northern Rail network and a voucher for four at Go Ape in Delamere Forest followed by tea and cake at Station House Café.

The competition will go ahead unless rail strikes increase in frequency and prevent rail travel.

In this instance, the competition will be postponed to a later date.

All entries can be uploaded on to social media using the #throughthetrainwindow and #midcheshirerail as well as tagging the partnership’s social media accounts.

Alternatively, photographs can be emailed to sandracurties5@gmail.com

For more details visit midcheshirerail.org.uk