Young snappers' animal magic

A shoal of stingrays, three budgies peering out from their nest - these are two of the winning wildlife pictures at the annual RSPCA young photographer of the year competition awarded today.

The awards, now in their 10th year, attracted more than 5,000 photographs from aspiring young wildlife photographers across the country. The results of their efforts can be seen in an exhibition at the Grosvenor House Hotel which will go on for the next month.

Shot on a family holiday in Florida, the overall prize-winning snap was taken by 11-year-old Joanna Eames, from Chislehurst in Kent.

Her haunting picture of a shoal of stingrays floating through the sun-dappled Atlantic will earn her a state-of-the-art digital camera, £250 worth of books and £250 in cash.

Her study immediately attracted the attention of the judges. TV presenter and wildlife photographer Chris Packham said: "I really enjoy judging this competition and seeing so much young photographic talent.

"Many of the pictures show great originality. I love the patterns of interlocking stingrays and light on the water in Joanna's photo. It shows great composition and was the best picture photographically." The endearing image of the three budgies in their nest won nine-yearold Levana Magnus from Kew the first prize in the under-12 category.

Tim Crocker-Buque, 16, won the 12-18 category for his picture of a shark taken in an aquarium. Fifteen-year-old James Lewis's shot of a lone heron waiting for fish on the riverbank won the south Croydon schoolboy the runner-up prize in the same category.

Michaela Miller, from the RSPCA said: "Once again these awards have shown us how much imagination and talent young people have.

Choosing a winner has been particularly hard this year. It's been a delight to see so many inspirational images, all different but all excellent in their own way."

The awards ceremony is being held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.