Budding photographers have been invited to enter a photography competition to celebrate the recent completion of construction of the Abberton Scheme at Abberton Reservoir, south of Colchester

Reservoir owners, Essex & Suffolk Water, and Essex Wildlife Trust, who run and manage a visitor centre and nature reserve at the site, have launched the competition with a theme of Abberton Reservoir — A Changing Environment.

The theme is open to personal interpretation but the judges will be looking for inspirational photographs that tell the changing story of the people, landscape, wildlife and environment that makes Abberton Reservoir and the surrounding countryside so special. Photographs can be anything from close-ups to wide landscapes, as long as they feature either people, landscape, wildlife or buildings within the four parishes surrounding the reservoir (Abberton and Langenhoe, Layer Breton, Layer de la Haye and Winstred Hundred).

The Abberton Scheme has increased the storage capacity of Abberton Reservoir by nearly 60%, securing water supplies to 1.5 million people in Essex for many years to come. At the same time the reservoir is being transformed into a spectacular natural wetland.

On the judging panel are John Hall, CEO of Essex Wildlife Trust; John Devall, water director at Essex & Suffolk Water; and Chris Gomersall, one of the UK’s best-known wildlife photographers.

The competition is now open with entries due to close on April 30, 2015. Photographs taken before this period are eligible for entry. A children’s category is also open for entrants who are aged 16 or below and entries also close on April 30, 2015.

The winners and runners-up will be invited to be presented with their prizes by the judges at Essex Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife & Country Fair at Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre on Saturday, May 30, 2015. A shortlist of 20 photographs will also be exhibited at the fair.

For more information, full competition terms and conditions, and further details of how to enter, visit the website at www.abbertonscheme.co.uk.