SUFFOLK'S photographers have risen to a unique challenge by capturing the sounds of the county - on camera.

SUFFOLK'S photographers have risen to a unique challenge by capturing the sounds of the county - on camera.

Launched in the East Anglian Daily Times, to coincide with Deaf Awareness Week, 'Hear Suffolk' was a brand new competition concept inviting photographers to encapsulate the sounds of Suffolk.

The competition was the idea of local hearing care specialists The Hearing Care Centre, who wanted the photographs to capture sounds that hard of hearing people may not otherwise hear.

The competition caught the imagination of local people, with almost 100 entries being received for the adult category alone.

The judges were Andy Abbott, EADT Head of Photos, BBC Look East's Julie Reinger, Vice-President of Ipswich and District Photographic Society Barry Freeman, and Karen Finch, managing director of The Hearing Care Centre.

After much deliberation the first place went to Roy Ward from Stowmarket, second place went to Susane Lees from Leiston, and third place went to Matthew Clarke from Ipswich.

Roy took home a cash prize of �250, with Susane winning �150 and Matthew �100. In the children's category winner Laura Wilding from Holbrook took home �100.

“The winning three images were excellent - all illustrating the sounds of Suffolk.

“You really can almost hear the waves and flag flapping in the wind in Roy Ward's picture, or the dogs playing in the surf in Susane Lee's picture that came a close second and hear that wren singing in Matthew Clarke's image,” said Andy

“The standard of entries was excellent and it took a considerable time to reach the final selection. So good was the final shortlist that we thought it right to award those outside the top three entries highly commended status.”

The four selected finalists of the competition were also presented with tickets to attend an exclusive photographic exhibition in London by internationally famous musician and photographer Bryan Adams.

Adams has been commissioned by the hearing instrument manufacturer Phonak to be official photographer for 'Hear the World', the company's own initiative for hearing awareness.

Adams has photographed many famous musicians who are supporting the Hear the World initiative including Pl�cido Domingo, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Michael Bubl�, and many others.

Karen Finch, Managing Director of The Hearing Care Centre said, “We have been overwhelmed with the response we received to our competition.

“As it was something a bit different, you never know how it might go, but all the entries we received were fantastic.”

“If through this we have raised awareness about hearing loss, and even one person does something about that hearing loss as a result, then we will be more than happy.”

The top 25 photos will be taking part in a special exhibition tour of the county. The exhibition is planned to start in Ipswich and visit other towns across the county.