AN exciting new image competition inviting residents, businesses and visitors to share their views of Falmouth has been launched.

Organised by the Falmouth BID, the competition kicks off in May and will run through until October, utilising a number of the official social media channels for the town.

Designed to share peoples’ interactions of Falmouth as a special place to live, visit and experience, the competition has been planned to coincide with the recent Best Place to Live in the South West accolade awarded to the town by The Sunday Times, within their highly respected annual guide.

Each month a judging panel comprising the Falmouth Town Team, media partner the Falmouth Packet and prize partner Seasalt Cornwall, will choose the five most striking images submitted to the town’s official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email channels all under the hashtag #LoveFalmouth. The five images will then be profiled within a dedicated #LoveFalmouth section in the Falmouth Packet each month as well as online.

In addition, an overall monthly winner will be selected and that image will be displayed prominently on the town’s official website falmouth.co.uk and also scoop a £50 Seasalt voucher donated by Seasalt Cornwall.

Once the campaign has come to a close, a #LoveFalmouth exhibition featuring the 30 images will go on display at a venue in Falmouth at the end of the year, the location of which will be announced later in the season.

Richard Wilcox, Falmouth BID manager, said: “Falmouth is a really special place, with a varied business scene, outstanding events calendar, proactive community and of course stunning scenery. We hope the #LoveFalmouth campaign will provide a creative platform for everyone who cares about our special town to engage even more with Falmouth and share their view of it with the world.”

Paul Armstrong, editor of the Falmouth Packet, said: “Falmouth is an amazing place to live and work and the Falmouth Packet is proud to be associated with the #LoveFalmouth competiton. We hope that it will further highlight the delights that Falmouth has to offer. We are really looking forward to publishing the best images. We are sure they will be amazing.”

Neil Chadwick, Seasalt co-founder said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the 2016 #LoveFalmouth photography competition. Our Seasalt design studios overlook Falmouth Bay, and the Cornish landscape, colours and flora are always at the heart of what we do. We can’t wait to see how people capture it on camera.”

Hannah Linford, director of Falmouth-based design and print agency 20/20, who are the #LoveFalmouth campaign and print sponsors, said: “20/20 are delighted to be involved in such a wonderful and creative scheme for such an inspiring town. Initiatives that help showcase all that is vibrant and compelling about Falmouth should be wholeheartedly welcomed and supported. We can’t wait to see some amazing images.”

To enter the competition, people will need to follow Falmouth’s social media accounts – on Facebook at Falmouth Cornwall UK; via Twitter @FalmouthTownUK or Instagram LoveFalmouth and then simply upload their image using the #LoveFalmouth hashtag.

Further details on the #LoveFalmouth competition, including terms and conditions, can be found on falmouth.co.uk.