The ‘top 30’ photographs taken during last month's first-ever STFC Photowalks have been posted on the web and members of the public have until 22nd December to vote online for their favourites. The winning photo in this unique national competition will be announced on 12th January. Click to vote: http://www.stfc.ac.uk/stfcforms/photowalkvoting.aspx

These striking images represent the very best of the 500 shots submitted by the 200 amateur and professional photographers - including RPS members - who took part in the Photowalks around three STFC sites: the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.

The ‘top 30’ offer a thought-provoking interpretation of the extraordinary science and technology being carried out at these sites, and provide a fresh perspective on the remarkable facilities and unique surroundings where this world-leading work takes place.

The online collection consists of the 10 best images taken at each of the three sites, as selected by a panel of judges, and includes the three regional winners. The 10 photos that now receive the most votes from the public will go forward to be judged by a national panel, which will include a representative from the Royal Photographic Society. An overall winner will then be chosen in January.

The winning photographer will have a choice of three prizes: a behind-the-scenes tour of CERN, the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland; an iPad; or £500 of vouchers from photographic retailer Jessops.

The photographers who took the shots enjoyed unprecedented access to STFC facilities during the exclusive Photowalk tours and responded by producing a stunning range of photos that collectively constitute a highly original body of work.

STFC’s Mark Wells, who organised the event,  says: “We’re delighted that inspiring science has stimulated inspiring photography of such a high standard. Anyone can go to the website, enjoy the photographs and cast a vote – although choosing a favourite from such a remarkable collection will certainly be a challenge!”