1 INTRODUCTION

2 SAMPLE SELECTION AND OBSERVATIONS  
2.1 Sample selection  
2.2 Imaging observations  
2.3 Spectroscopic follow-up  
2.4 Additional narrowband images  

3 RESULTS: EELRs IN A LARGE INTERACTING AND MERGING SAMPLE  
3.1 Emission-line ratios and classifications  
3.2 Incidence of distant EELRs  
3.3 Galaxies and AGN with distant EELRs  

4 CONCLUSIONS