An imaging element comprising in the order given on a hydrophilic surface of a support (i) an image receiving layer containing physical development nuclei, (ii) a photosensitive layer containing a silver halide emulsion being in water permeable relationship with said image receiving layer and (iii) an intermediate layer between said image receiving layer and said photosensitive layer, characterized in that said intermediate layer comprises particles of an alkali insoluble polymeric organic compound obtainable by polycondensation, said particles having a number average size between 0.02 .mu.m and 10 .mu.m.