Photographers have been challenged to show some heart for a new competition.

Accademia Apulia UK wants snappers to capture images showing how love can bridge generations and continents, as well as overcoming prejudices.

The non-profit organisation, set up to bring communities across Europe together, has teamed up with The Royal Photographic Society and Amnesty International to launch its latest photography award.

The subject of this year's contest is 'Freedom to Love', with judges looking for shots which testify to love's universality.

The competition, inspired by Barack Obama's 2012 quote that 'no one should be afraid to walk down the street holding hands with the person they love', is open to participants worldwide.

The deadline for submissions is December 7 and the winning entries will go on display at the London College of Communication in January.

Accademia Apulia UK's exhibition about Allied troops in Italy earlier this year helped uncover the remarkable story of a Hounslow soldier who survived three sinkings during the Dunkirk evacuations.

* More details about the competition and how to enter are available here.