WHAT does being a mum mean to you? That is the question being posed to the people of Southampton as a nationwide competition is launched to capture the picture of motherhood.

The competition, which has been launched by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Hallmark Cards, is calling on families to get creative and represent their city by capturing an image that they think represents the role of motherhood where they live.

Aimed at bringing photography to the masses and gaining a greater understanding of the different concepts of motherhood across the UK, the competition is open to everyone from complete novices to budding photographers.

Pictures can be captured on anything from mobile phones to the latest hi-tech digital cameras and can be submitted by people of any age. The only criteria that apply is that the photograph must be your own work and must capture an image that best represents motherhood.

Submissions will be judged in two age categories (up to 17 and 18 plus) and the winners will be announced on Mother’s Day 2010 and will receive £1,000 of photography equipment as part of the prize.

People can enter the competition at hallmark.co.uk