The Scottish Press Photography Awards are to be relaunched to celebrate the country's best newspaper pictures.

The new impetus follows an exclusive sponsorship deal with First ScotRail, a deal which has received welcome support across the industry.

So after a break of five years the cream of Scottish press photographers will once again be able to compete for the coveted title of First ScotRail Photographer of the Year.

In addition to the top award another 11 categories will be contested including a new Lifetime Achievement Award.

And, for the first time, the public will get a chance to participate by voting for the best single shot in an 'Open' category.

A dedicated website www.scottishppa.com has been created to allow entrants to register interest and regular updates will be forwarded regarding the awards.

Mary Dickson, managing director of First ScotRail said, "Photographs capture the imagination and can be very evocative. By sponsoring these awards we have the chance to support photographers the length and breadth of Scotland and to showcase the quality and creativity that Scotland has in this arena.

"We'll be hosting an awards ceremony in March 2006 and hope to take the winning pictures around Scotland by exhibiting at key stations."

The First ScotRail Scottish Press Photography Awards 2005 are open to staff and freelance photographers in Scotland.

Pictures entered must have been taken for use (although not necessarily published) between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005.

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