The Gazette website is launching its first Ecard competition, Take A Peak, to celebrate the new Ecard service offered this month on our website.

Each participant can send in one Lake District image taken during 2005 whilst exploring the region. The image must feature one of the peaks, fell tops or a view from on high. The top 12 will be featured in a new Ecard section, with credit given to the photographer.

"We thought this would be a great opportunity for Lake District explorers to have their favourite photograph from 2005 available to the world as an Ecard," says Wed Editor Kate Whiteside.

The deadline for entries is January 30, 2006 and the new section will be live shortly after. There is specific entry criteria outlined in the Ecards, Photo Gallery and Competition sections on the site.

Email entries to the Web Editor kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.

Entry Criteria...

1. One image per person, submitted by email only.

2. Image must be attached to email in jpg format.

All images will be resized to a resolution of 75 pixels per inch and a width of 350 pixels.

3. Image must come with the location identified. If it is a view from a fell or peak top, both the location and the view must be identified.

4. Sender must supply Name, Address, Phone Numbers, and Email to use for contact.

5. The image must have been taken by the sender, be unpublished, and taken in 2005. Proof may be required.

6. If there are people in the photograph, their written permission must be made available before image can be published on the website.

7. The photographer keeps the copyright, however, The Gazette may use it in the Ecard section and for promotion of the section for as long as they see fit. Credit will be given with each image.

8. Submission of an entry means agreement with the rules and regulations.

9. There are no fees involved.

10. Editor's decision will be final.