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´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland is celebrating 70 years of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ at Ormeau Avenue in Belfast, it was announced today.

The construction of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Broadcasting House got properly underway in 1939 and continued throughout the early years of the Second World War. The building and its work have grown since then, reflecting changes in technology and the needs of ´óÏó´«Ã½ audiences.

Broadcasting House now provides services across radio, television and online and is a production centre for local and network programmes. It's also the main location for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland's news and recording studios.

A season of events and activities to mark Broadcasting House's 70th birthday began today with the launch of a public art competition to create a picture of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland at its home in Broadcasting House.

Adults and children are being invited to produce a picture of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ at Broadcasting House in Belfast or a picture of what the ´óÏó´«Ã½ means to them.

A panel of judges, led by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland's Mark Carruthers, will have the task of deciding which entries will be chosen for a special ´óÏó´«Ã½ art exhibition.

Mark Carruthers said: "´óÏó´«Ã½ Broadcasting House has been very much a part of our history for the past 70 years and when you work in it every day you become very used to it and tend to forget this fact.

"It will be fascinating to see other people's perspectives on the building. So get those brushes out and get painting!"

Mark will be joined by fellow judges, local artist Joe McWilliams, Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Mark Adair, Head of Corporate and Community Affairs at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland.

One overall winner will also be selected from each age category to receive a VIP tour of ´óÏó´«Ã½NI and a trip to ´óÏó´«Ã½'s radio and television studios in London.

Full details of the competition theme, entry rules and age categories are available online at bbc.co.uk/ni/communitybus or by requesting a competition pack by telephone on 03700 100678.

Standard geographic charges apply and calls may be included in your telecom provider's call package. Calls from mobiles may be higher.

Competition winners will be published online in December 2009.

CC