Valentine’s Day sees the University of Essex launch a new competition to see how staff, students and former students might capture their love for Essex in photographs or film.

The Love Essex competition is based around the theme ‘Your life at Essex’ and entries can be from all of the University’s three campuses in Colchester, Southend and Loughton. Film and photos can be from both the present and the past.

All staff, students and alumni of the University are welcome to enter and prizes will be presented in two categories - photo and video.

Competition organisers hope people will be inspired to make films or take photos of their life and work at Essex or submit material they have already created. Former students are also encouraged to send in pictures or videos which reflect their time at the University.

The winner in each category will win a £100 Amazon gift card with the runner-up receiving a £50 Amazon gift card. A large print of their picture will also be presented to the winner of the photo category.

Chris Burge from the Marketing and Student Recruitment Office said: “We are really excited to be launching our Love Essex competition, particularly in the run up to the University’s 50th Anniversary.

“Since the competition is open to such a broad and diverse group of people, we are looking forward to receiving some interesting entries. We are also encouraging entries from both the present and the University’s past, as well as from all of our campuses across the region.”

Entries can be uploaded via the Love Essex webpage

The web page also includes all terms and conditions. All entries must be submitted by 3pm on the closing date of 25 March 2011 with the prize winners announced in the summer.