[Photo credit: © Thomas P Peschak]

Amateur and professional photographers are invited to enter the annual competition, which Sir David Attenborough describes as ‘the most prestigious event for any wildlife and stills photographer, anywhere’.

Judges for the 52nd contest include wildlife photographer Piotr Naskrecki and German photographer Klaus Nigge.

It costs £30 to enter up to 25 images. Young photographers (aged 17 and under) can submit up to 10 images for free.

‘I am already excited by the anticipation of revelatory images in the 2016 winners,’ said chair of the jury Lewis Blackwell.

‘Last year’s entries captured previously unseen aspects of the natural world, giving us remarkable insights and making us look at the familiar with fresh eyes.

‘As chair of the jury, I feel immensely privileged to help lead a competition that really helps celebrate wildlife and spotlight key issues.

‘It is important that we encourage photographers everywhere, of all ages, from top photographers to aspiring amateurs.’

The closing date is 25 February 2016.

For full details visit www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/wpy.html.

32. Mirko Zanni.web[Photo credit: © Mirko Zanni]

93. Audun Rikardsen.web[Photo credit: © Audun Rikardsen]