SNAP-HAPPY residents have been showing off their creative talents in a community-run photographic competition.

The competition operates on Colchester’s Mile End and Braiswick Community Hub Facebook page.

Residents were invited to submit their best autumnal snaps of the area, to be judged by each other. Visitors to the page could vote for their favourites by “liking’’ them.

Three pictures with the most “likes’’, and one chosen by page administrator Howard Alleway, were used as the page’s main images.

Mr Alleway, of Mile End, said: “I help to organise photos for a number of friends’ pages and businesses. As an ex-professional photographer and keen amateur, I mooted the idea of local pictures taken by local people to make up the images needed to make the page stand out.

“When I joined the page, there were not many followers. In the time I have been running these competitions, and doing other support and social awareness things, the page has quadrupled its followers.

“The overall aim is to have a selection of images we can use all year round, the current themes all being seasonal.

“It just brings that element of creativity and shows the support of the community.’’ The first competition was launched last March when residents were asked to submit pictures of bluebells. Another took place last summer.

Entrants can take the pictures using cameras or smart phones.

Another competition will be held this spring.

To see more of the entries, visit the Facebook page.