The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards are now in their thirteenth year and the number and standard of entries continues to grow with every competition. Last year the panel of judges had a tough time selecting a shortlist of entries from more than 6,000 photographs of family pets, exotic safari animals and imaginative wildlife shots.

Entries are divided into two different age groups: Under 12 and 12-18 years. The overall winner will receive an Olympus digital camera and a £250 cash prize from Truprint, to be presented at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London, in December 2003.

TV presenter and wildlife photographer Chris Packham, a long-standing supporter of the awards, is one of the judges. Chris said: "Considering the outstanding standard of entries received last year, I'm very much looking forward to helping with the judging of this year's competition and seeing so much inspirational young talent once more."

The winners from each age group will receive an Olympus Mju V compact camera and £100 from Truprint. In addition, eight runners up will each win an Olympus Mju III 100 compact camera and £50 from Truprint. All the winning photos will be exhibited until the end of January 2004.