A new wildlife photography competition has been launched.

Photographs of animals, plants, birds and insects can be entered, and winners will receive bird boxes or bird feeders to help encourage more wildlife.

Coun Colin Hall, Environment spokesman for Sutton Council, said: “Sutton has some of the most diverse wildlife in London and bats, frogs, owls and foxes are all regular visitors to the borough’s gardens.

Many urban residents rarely see these kinds of creatures, so it’s a great idea to keep a look out and see what you can spot."

The competition is open to anyone who lives or works in Sutton. Photos must be taken in a private or communal garden or an allotment in the borough and must include a wild plant, animal or insect.

Send your photo to biodiversity@sutton.gov.uk or by post to Sutton Ecology Centre, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 3NY, with your name and address and details of when and where the photo was taken (including date and postcode).

Closing date: 31 October 2011. Maximum two entries per person. Please note that photographs cannot be returned.