Cat on the matt finish... young snappers reveal animal magic

The shortlist of 21 photographers was compiled from more than 8,000 entries, featuring everything from terriers playing on a beach to lions snarling at each other.

The youngest photographer on the list is just eight.

Emily Biggs, 13, from London, climbed a hill on Shetland to capture an image of a sheep sitting on top. She called the picture Conquering a Blustery Peak.

Amelia Robinson, 13, from Dorset, captured the mischievous spirit of a seven-month-old Bengal kitten, Lily.

Some of the photographers entered a portfolio. Sam Rowley, 17, from Richmond, submitted a run of five pictures from Richmond Park. The teenager got up early to find deer surrounded by fog.

Becky Murray, one of the RSPCA’s picture researchers, said: “There were stunning images from across the board of all kinds of animals – from the smallest spider to the largest bear.”

The winners will be announced on December 16 at an awards ceremony at the Tower of London. The shortlist includes Antony Archer, 15, from Leeds and Lela Penistone, 17, from York.