Wolverhampton photographers urged to capture city's wildside in new competition

To celebrate the return of the Natural History Museum's 52nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to the city's art gallery, a competition has been launched to find the best urban wildlife shots.

Talented photographers and filmmakers can now enter their work – and the winners will see their images and footage on the gallery walls.

The touring show last year attracted thousands of visitors to the Lichfield Street venue. This year's show runs from July 15 to October 8.

Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for city economy, said: "We are on the hunt for talented, homegrown Wolverhampton photographers of all ages to submit their best wildlife images or short films taken in and around the city."

The competition is open to anyone living, working or studying in a WV postcode.

Winners will be announced at the official launch of the exhibition on July 22. Prizes include afternoon tea at the art gallery and free entrance to the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Photography entrants must be aged five and above. Winners will be picked from each of three categories: five to 11, 12 to 18, and over-18s. Film entrants must be aged five and above, and there will be just one winner selected.

All images and film must be the work of the person submitting them, must not have been published anywhere else, and be available until the close of the exhibition.

There is only one entry per person. Postal entries will not be accepted.

Email jpegs, which must be 1024 pixels on the longest edge/1MB to Wildwolverhampton@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

Films must be no longer than five minutes, including credits, and need to be uploaded to YouTube with a link sent to Wildwolverhampton@wolverhampton.gov.uk. All images should be clearly labelled with the entrants' age and contact details.