Photos of children's smiling faces are wanted around the world for potential use in the artistic performances of the Olympic ceremonies next year.

The Beijing Olympics organizers yesterday launched its campaign of collecting photographic images featuring smiling children's faces in a bid to attract general public to take part in the Olympics Games in one form or another.

How to use the photos remains confidential for the time being to preserve, said the Beijing Olympics official website www.beijing2008.cn, but the actual usage of the photos may be revealed when deemed appropriate during the production process of the opening or closing ceremonies.

Those who are interested should submit photo(s) that depict a full frontal image of the face of a smiling or laughing child. The photos should never have been publicly used or displayed for commercial purposes, and the child had better be under age 10. There are no requirements regarding gender or the background of the photo(s), said an announcement at http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/ ceremonies/n214148318.shtml.

The entries must be at least five million pixels, in color, and be bright and sharp. Photos meeting these requirements taken by ordinary digital cameras are acceptable.

The collection will last until April 30 next year before the Games open on August 8 through 24.