Photographs put focus on favourite cityscapes

Sel MacLean photographed a structure in Washington known as the Curly Wurly Bridge

A photography project is putting the focus on people's personal landmarks in the run-up to the opening of a multimillion-pound art and entertainment hub.

Sunderland residents are being asked to snap pictures of their favourite places - from the "obvious to the overlooked" - which will be displayed when the city's Culture House opens.

The project is called From Our House to Yours and five photographers have also been commissioned to capture parts of Sunderland, with their work on show at the Expo Pavilion in the city's Keel Square until Sunday.

Costing £27m, Culture House Sunderland will be home to a library, an immersion gallery, podcasting studios, an events venue and a sky garden.

Sel MacLean, one of the five commissioned photographers, chose Washington "because it's so close to home".

He explained: "After spending a couple of days there, I started uncovering a rich history full of surprising stories and places, from Washington Old Hall's connection to George Washington, to Bowes Railway, one of the world's earliest modern railways.

"I found something curious in every spot I visited."

Hazel Plater, another of the commissioned photographers, took this image of the Shifting Times sculpture at Houghton-le-Spring

Councillor Beth Jones, cabinet member for communities, culture and tourism at the city council, described the project as "a fantastic opportunity for residents to get creative and also shine a light on the places that mean something to them in the city – from the obvious to the overlooked".

She said: "We know that culture isn't confined to venues and doesn't start and stop at the doors.

"It lives across the city, in the stories we share and the places we carry with us."

Further details about the exhibition and how to submit photographs can found on Culture House Sunderland's website.