artists can win a share of the £3,000 fund on offer in the Watercolour of the Year Awards.

The competition, run by Forward Prints, is offering 13 prizes of £100 -- plus 25 prints of the winner's painting -- to the best artists in the region.

The overall, national winner will receive a cheque for £1,000, plus 100 prints of the winning entry.

The judging for the regional winners will take place in January and the closing date for entries is December. The final judging will take place in February.

Winning entries and shortlisted work will be included (with artists details) in a full colour catalogue which will be distributed free to major buyers throughout the UK.

Entry is free and copyright in all work will remain with the artist. To take part, artists should send two examples of their work (maximum size 420mm x 300mm) to: Forward Prints. Remus House, Coltsfoot Drive, Woodston. Peterborough PE2 9JX.

The competition rules are available on Forward Prints' web site: www.forwardprints.co.uk.