A NEW photography competition, dubbed Beautiful Bricks, has begun in Carlisle, with the aim of capturing the architectural essence of the Great Border City.

The competition, which encourages both amateur and professional photographers, highlights the distinctive local built environment by inviting photographers to depict buildings in any light - old or new, utilitarian or grand, or even focus on an intriguing detail.

The photography challenge has been organised by the conveyancers at Wragg Mark Bell, a city law firm, who deal extensively with property transactions in Carlisle.

£150 is up for grabs for the first prize, while the second, sponsored by Blackbox Architects, will fetch £100; the third prize carries a reward of £75.

Moreover, shortlisted images will be shown in an exhibition within the historic quarter of the city, garnering considerable exposure for the contestants.

Applicants may submit one to three photographs and the deadline for submission is June 14.

A selection of shortlisted photographs will go on exhibit at the Intro pop-up gallery on Paternoster Row, open to the public from June 19 to 22.

News and Star: Laura UrquhartLaura Urquhart (Image: Supplied)

The judging panel includes Laura Urquhart, director at Wragg Mark-Bell; locally acclaimed artist and photographer David Hollins; and Malcolm Wilson, director of Blackbox Architects.

Mr Wilson, known countrywide for his breath-taking landscape paintings of Carlisle city, also has significant experience in landscape and sports photography and has previously judged multiple photography competitions, including ones for the BBC.

The deadline for submission is June 14 at 4pm and framed photographs should be delivered in person to Intro PR on Paternoster Row.