Now in its sixth year, the PPY is claimed to be the only competition that recognises and showcases press photography taken for the UK news media.

Last year, 7713 images were submitted to the competition with David Bebber scooping the top prize for his photograph of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi, standing behind protective glass during a military parade in Tripoli.

Entrants for the competition must be UK-based or hold UK or ROI citizenship if based overseas. They also must be working predominantly for the UK media. Professional photographers can enter up to 80 images across 12 categories, as well as up to six links to multimedia pieces.

All submitted images must have been taken between 01 January 2010 and 31 March 2011, but they do not need to have been published. Entry is to be completed online only, where entrants can login, amend and add to their entries up until the close of the competition.

Judging will be held in May and the winning images will be shown at a major exhibition at the National Theatre at London's South Bank from 16 July until 04 September.

For more details, visit www.theppy.com.