Entries have already started coming in for the Telford Open Photography competition, run by Telford Shopping Centre in partnership with the Shropshire Star.

One lucky reader will win a fantastic Sony Nex-5, the world’s smallest interchangeable lens digital camera worth over £550.

There are three age groups, 11 and under, 12-17 years and 18 years plus, and three themes to get creative with: pets, nature and the great outdoors, and Shropshire sights.

The competition runs until August 26, with judging taking place on August 28.

Among the first batch of entries was a clever, moody shot of Ironbridge by Martin James – the town looks like it could have been straight out of a Harry Potter film set.

Other submissions for the Great Outdoors category include busy bees from Sam Scrivens, and an atmospheric sunset from Martyn Naylor.

A selection of photographs entered into the competition will be displayed in Wyre Hall, Telford Shopping Centre.

Tracy Hadley, marketing and events manager at the Centre comments: “This competition is open to all budding snappers in Shropshire, whether they are pursuing a career behind the lens or simply see it as a hobby.”

Award-winning Telford photographer Craig Holmes is leading the judging panel. It will select the overall winner and three runners-up, one from each category, who will each receive a fabulous Sony Cybershot DSC worth £250.

There will also be a “Readers’ Choice Award”, worth £150 of vouchers from Jessops in Telford, chosen by Shropshire Star website visitors.

To enter, photographs need to be between 10”x 8 and 12”x 8” and printed on either premium grade glossy or matt photographic paper and taken to the customer care desks in the centre.

Entry forms can be collected and completed at the desk or downloaded beforehand from www.telfordshopping.co.uk