THESE stunning images are among those shortlisted for a top photography competition highlighting "our fragile planet".

Entrants summed up the theme in a variety of ways, taking in extreme weather conditions, pollution and the rise of genetically modified crops.

Those photographs shortlisted include a poignant image of a doll drowning in a filthy, garbage infested waterway; the devastation caused by flooding; discarded tyres nestled in undergrowth and various pictures of industrial smog.

Judges for the competition, which is organised by the York Festival Of Science And Technology, selected the shortlist from more than 200 entries.

Entrants were asked to think about how the world around us is changing with images depicting technology amid nature, the use of recycling, perhaps the impact of pollution - any photograph illustrating the delicacy and vulnerability of our world.

Martin Oates, picture editor of The Press, said: "We've been particularly impressed this year by the high standard of entries. It's evident that people have put a lot of thought into capturing the competition's theme.

"Use of digital processes to enhance images was less evident this year, with most entries relying upon the natural landscape to capture a stunning image."

Entrants spanned the generations, from a seven-year-old, to a photography enthusiast in their seventies.

Festival patron and competition judge Adam Hart-Davis was delighted by the entries in the category for seven to 11-year-olds.

He said: "I thought these were amazing for such young photographers; arguably the most interesting bunch of pictures."

Also on the judging panel were Garry Fry, senior photographer at York's Central Science Laboratory (CSL), and scientist Fabien Deswarte, of the Green Chemistry Centre Of Excellence.

Those shortlisted will discover if they have won at a prize-giving ceremony on Sunday, March 18, in the Tempest Anderson Hall, at the Yorkshire Museum, York.

The winner of the adult category will spend a day shadowing Mr Fry at CSL and will be awarded up to £200 in photography vouchers.

In addition to an individual prize of a digital camera and printer, winners in the under-16s categories will win £200 for their school.

Winning entries will also be put on public display during the high profile BA Science Festival, being held in York in September.