See the winning photo competition entries which have shone a light on Backhouse Park

Backhouse Park, which was gifted to the corporation of Sunderland by Thomas Backhouse in 1922, is not as popular as the city’s bigger parks, but a competition launched last month aimed to capture its unique charm.

ICOS (International Community Organisation of Sunderland), in conjunction with East Rangers and Sunderland City Council, asked park-goers to capture how they spend their free time in the park, which has entrances in Ashbrooke and off Ryhope Road.

There was six categories in total: Dogs in the Park, Children’s Games (your own children only), Nature, Wild Animals, Art Photos and Cleaning up the Park.

In just a couple of weeks, the competition received more than 200 photographs.

St Michael’s Councillor, Michael Dixon, who along with ward colleague Peter Wood, was part of the panel of judges, said: “This has been a really positive story in a time when we could all do with some cheerful news.

"The idea of Daniel Krzyszczak, who leads the East Rangers in their work in Backhouse Park, to hold the competition was an excellent one and the response from residents has been very good.

"It was a very difficult task to select the winners in the various categories such was the high quality of the entries. All reminded us how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful park both in our ward and in our city.”

Also on the judging panel was Nina Cisowska from Newborn Story Photography and Daniel Krzyszczak from ICOS.

Daniel said: “All the photographs were absolutely amazing and it was a very hard choice for everyone to make. But most of all we would like to thank all residents who took part in the competition.”

The winners

::Best photo overall: Ian Maggiore for his image of dogwalkers

::Jay Miller for their flowers image in the Nature category

::Jayne Behenna for her parrot image in the Wild Animals category

::Mathew, 14, and his dad David Wood for their plant close up image in the Art category

::Michelle Meek for her jumping girl image in the Children’s Games category

::Naomi MacDonald for her two happy dogs, Elf and Forest, picture in the Dogs in Park category

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