Young Photographers Wanted

TV presenter Matt Baker has urged budding photographers to send in their pictures to win a three-day break with a world-famous animal snapper and £1,000 worth of kit.

The RSPCA has issued a final call for entrants to its Young Photographer Awards (YPA) 2010 before the September 6 closing date.

BBC Countryfile and former One Show presenter Matt, who is one of the 12 judges, said: “I can’t wait to see the great entries that have been submitted for this year’s competition.

“It has been a fantastic summer to be out and about so I am looking forward to seeing lots of sunny and happy pictures of pets and wildlife and meeting the winners at the awards ceremony in December.”

Winners and runners-up of four separate categories will pick up new cameras, while the person considered the overall champion will go on the three-day break during the annual deer rut in Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, with Wildlife Photographer of the Year Danny Green.

The competition is open to anyone aged 19 or younger, and is split into Under 12s, 12-18 Years, Pet Personalities and the Olympus Portfolio, which requires five images linked by a common theme.

Finalists will be invited to a glitzy awards ceremony at HM Tower of London on December 10.

The winners of the Under 12 and 12-18 categories will attend a photoshoot at an RSPCA centre with award-winning photographer Andrew Forsyth.

Last year’s overall winner, Ryan Edwards, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, joined Andrew at the RSPCA’s East Winch wildlife centre to photograph the release of rehabilitated seals back into their natural habitat.

YPA has become a recognised launch pad for aspiring photographers to showcase their work, gain recognition from industry professionals and be rewarded for their talent.

More details of prizes and rules are available at www.rspca.org.uk/ypa, which is also where entrants can upload their photos for the competition. Postal entries must arrive by 5pm on August 23.