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Teens' pet photos shortlisted for RSPCA award

Nathan Bevan
BBC News, South East
Grace Marshall A photo of a black dog in mid-jump while on an evening walk in a field.Grace Marshall
Grace Marshall, from West Sussex, showcased her dog Robin jumping while on an evening walk

Budding teen photographers from across the South East are vying to win this year's RSPCA Young Photographer People's Choice Award.

Voted for by the public, the entries are among 15 images in line for the top trophy and they include a hungry carp, a dancing dog, a camera-shy cat and a canine staring at its own reflection.

Tom Wiseman and Iceni Newcombe, both aged 15, from Kent, Eliza Harvey-Keightley, 14, from Surrey, and West Sussex's Grace Marshall, 18, are all shortlisted.

Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA photographer and judge, called this year's selection "brilliant images from some passionate and talented young people".

Eliza Harvey-Keightley A cat stares out from behind some plants in a garden.Eliza Harvey-Keightley
Eliza Harvey-Keightley, from Farnham, pictured her cat Luna hiding amongst some plants

The People's Choice Award is part of the prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, with winner will be picked from submissions to the Mobile Phone and Devices, Pet Personalities and Pet Portraits categories.

Every year the charity encourages children and young people to take photos of animals in a bid to become closer to nature and inspire the next generation.

Tom Wiseman Photograph of a hungry carp coming to the surface to feed.Tom Wiseman
Rochester's Tom Wiseman photographed a hungry carp

Eliza Harvey-Keightley, from Farnham, was picked for her image called Behind the Leaves, which features her cat Luna hiding in some undergrowth, while The Portal by Iceni Newcombe, from Gravesend, shows her dog staring in a mirror.

Tom Wiseman, from Rochester, took a picture entitled Hungry Fish while feeding carp with his father, and Grace Marshall, from Chichester, managed to catch her dog Robin in mid-jump.

Iceni Newcombe Photo of a grey dog staring in a mirror.Iceni Newcombe
Iceni Newcombe's photo shows her dog staring in the mirror.

Mr Forsyth said: "This year's photos are fantastic and really varied.

"There are some sweet and funny pictures of pets showing off their incredible personalities, and we urge the public to not only enjoy them but to vote for their favourite."

Voting closes on Wednesday, with the winner to be announced on RSPCA's social media channels the next day.

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