Sustrans launches video competition to celebrate 15 years of the NCN

Sustrans, the Bristol-based sustainable transport charity is marking the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network with a video competition, My National Cycle Network, that's open to children and adults.

The charity want to hear from people who use the network, which has grown from the 17 mile Bristol to Bath railway path and now covers 12,000 miles of quiet lanes and shared use traffic free cycle paths, to find out how it has changed their lives.

All you need to do to enter is submit a short (maximum 2 minutes) film about your experience of using the NCN.

"We are really looking forward to marking the network's anniversary with a collection of creative and original stories revealing why people use it, how they feel, what they see and who they meet. The stories can be funny, witty, quirky or musical and the film doesn't have to be technically brilliant," said Sustrans' chief executive, Malcolm Shepherd.

Entries open on 5 July and close on 30 September, all you need to do is grab you camcorder, come up with an idea (or you can do it the other way around) and then upload the finished results to Youtube and then enter the competition online at www.myncn.org.uk.

The films will be judged by by Wallace and Gromit creative director Merlin Crossingham, BBC Two's Coast presenter Alice Roberts and broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis who will pick winners in three categories: under 11, 11-17 years-old, and over-17.

According to Sustrans the under 11s winner will get an Aardman exclusive family prize that's so exclusive Sustrans can't even say what it is yet, they're on firmer ground though for the 11-17s who'll get four VIP passes to NASS 2011, the action sports and music festival, the adult winner gets a short break holiday for four.

Harnessing the creativity of the people that use the network to celebrate its anniversary fits neatly with much of the work Sustrans has done over the years installing artworks along its routes and encouraging local people to get involved with their routes. To find out more about Sustrans and the National Cycle Network visit www.sustrans.org.uk.