Young Lancashire photographers encouraged to enter RSPCA competition
Young Lancashire photographers are being encouraged to enter the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, which opened for entries on May 6. Pictured is last year's overall winner, Anwen Whitehead (Image: Supplied)
The RSPCA is encouraging young photographers in Lancashire to enter its photo competition.
The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards opened for entries on May 6, and the entry window is set to close on August 13.
Last year, more than 4,000 children and young people entered the competition.
Now, budding photographers aged 18 years and under are being asked to submit their photos of the animal kingdom, captured on a camera or mobile device, for the competition's 2025 instalment.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Ellie Rothnie, an award-winning photographer and photographic guide, will once again be part of the judging panel.
She said: "The RSPCA's Young Photographer Awards is the ultimate celebration of young creative talent.
"Every year, the entries are astounding, and indeed many winners from this competition have become immensely successful professional photographers.
"I am truly honoured to be a judge again - I can't wait to see this year's entries."
This year, the charity has launched a new category aimed at telling the story of an individual animal or commenting on the wider natural world.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
According to a spokesperson, "the 'Documenting Animals' category will consist of three photos which will document real stories, events, and animals, and aims to inspire, educate, and make change for animals.
"Entrants in this category will use their photo journalist skills to raise awareness, spark a discussion, or accurately capture the world as it is today."
Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA photographer and competition judge, said: "We're looking for a positive story that leaves a lasting impression.
"We want the entrants to show that they have thought about the narrative of their images - perhaps they might show the changing landscape of a nature reserve or a conservation project, maybe showing how humans help animals through rewilding initiatives or volunteering, or perhaps the images capture a series of moments which perfectly encapsulates an animal welfare or conservation issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
"It's an opportunity to use your imagination and natural curiosity, and we're excited to see what our budding young photographers in Lancashire come up with."
The new 'Documenting Animals' category will also require entrants to write 120 words to illustrate their three-photo series, detailing what inspired them and providing background on what the story means for the animals involved.
This year's awards will be judged by a panel of experts in wildlife photography: Ellie will be joined by former competition winner-turned-professional photographer, Catriona Parfitt, as well as by RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs.
READ MORE:
Risks to Blackburn with Darwen's £5m road upgrades outlined
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
Blackburn Big Wheel free VE offer for military personnel
When will the Red Arrows fly over Lancashire in 2025?
The sponsors of the competition are Natures Images (wildlife photography holidays) and Camtraptions (camera traps for wildlife photography).
Winners in each category will be awarded trophies and a selection of prizes at a ceremony at the Tower of London in December.
To submit your entry or for more information, please visit https://young.rspca.org.uk
To watch a recording of last year's ceremony, please visit https://young.rspca.org.uk/about
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Woman Leaves Camera To Film Her Sea Dip—Seagull Steals the Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video of a seagull caught "red handed" in the act of stealing a woman's underwear has gone viral on TikTok. The moment was shared in a clip posted by @eloisebeattie and had amassed 1.6 million views at the time of writing. The camera, which appears to have been left on the sand facing the ocean, was capturing Carbis Bay, a beach in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The clip begins with a relatively serene beach scene, with a woman and a child seen distantly walking along a sandy coast under a bright blue sky. Then, a seagull suddenly appears in the frame, dragging a piece of clothing across the ground with its beak. Text overlaid on the video says "little did I know as I was taking a lovely dip in the sea, a seagull would pull my dress out of my bag and steal my panties!!" The seagull appears to poke the garment around with its beak a few times before the clip ends. A caption shared with the post says: "Caught him red handed. Unfortunately panties were not recovered:(" Seagulls seen on beaches are most likely to be herring gulls, lesser black-backed gulls and great black-backed gulls, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the animal charity based in the United Kingdom. It's unknown why the seagull in the viral clip was interested in the woman's clothing, but "gulls are opportunists and will take advantage of whatever food they can find in their environment," the RSPCA says. "Snatching food is a behavior that gulls have learnt, and it's reinforced every time they're fed by the public," the charity adds. 'He Is Innocent' Viewers on TikTok couldn't get enough of the moment captured in the viral clip. Ethanhanks02 said "That's hilarious.." and M&M's said "She thought it was fish. Poor baby." Maja said the seagull must have thought "that's some weird fish but I'll take it." User formalexorcism 🇨🇦 wrote: "What is this world coming to when our undergarments aren't even safe from BIRDS?" User cherrybons123 claimed "He is innocent I saw nothing," and Tom Bombadillpickle agreed, noting "we didn't see him steal anything on camera, hence NOT GUILTY." Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified. Stock image: A seagull shown standing on a beach. Stock image: A seagull shown standing on a beach. Getty Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Contestants sought for new ITV quiz show with £1million jackpot
A nationwide search is under way for contestants to join a new Saturday night quiz show. The ITV1 and ITVX series, Win Win with People's Postcode Lottery, will be hosted by comedy duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. Producers are looking for "fun, enthusiastic" individuals with standout personalities to take part in the six-week series. The show's producers are seeking contestants for the new series (Image: Supplied) The show will be filmed in studio and will involve survey-based questions. A total of 40 contestants will take part in each episode. Mel Giedroyc said: "This quiz is so extra. "Imagine winning something like a car just by playing along with a gameshow you're watching on a Saturday night in your pyjamas? "I can't wait." Sue Perkins said: "If I wasn't hosting this, I'd be playing it at home; sat in my leopard print onesie, cuddling the dog whilst trying to figure out the nation's favourite chocolate bar. "Bring it on." Viewers at home will have the chance to win the same prizes as those in the studio. One contestant will also walk away with a guaranteed £1 million jackpot. Other prizes on offer include holidays, luxury cars, and tickets to major sporting and entertainment events. The ITV series is produced by Hello Dolly, and is described as the broadcaster's biggest-ever ad-funded series. It has been co-funded by People's Postcode Lottery and will air on Saturday nights. Katie Rawcliffe, director of entertainment and daytime at ITV, said: "We are delighted to have the brilliant Mel and Sue bringing this new format to life. "Forget shouting at the telly or rowing with your family about the answers – you can actually join in and be in with a chance of winning the same prize you're seeing on screen." Bhavit Chandrani, director of BE Studio from ITV, said: "This is our biggest ad-funded show yet and we're thrilled that by working with People's Postcode Lottery and Hello Dolly we're able to deliver such an interactive programme for viewers, who have real chances of bagging the same huge prizes they're seeing contestants win, from the comfort of their sofas." Imme Rog, executive board member of the Postcode Lottery Group, said: "We have 35 years of experience in creating and promoting successful TV formats in our other countries, and we are delighted to be partnering with Hello Dolly and ITV in bringing Win Win with People's Postcode Lottery to the British prime-time audience." READ MORE: Get to know Sophie from Darwen ahead of her Love Island appearance EastEnders star leaving with 'head held high' after shock soap exit news The Voice UK announces new coach with 'fantastic' track record for next series Victoria Ashbourne, CEO of Hello Dolly and executive producer, said: "We are thrilled to be working with People's Postcode Lottery and ITV to bring this innovative and exciting new format to life. "For the first time ever, viewers at home get the same winning experience as the contestants in studio – as a programme creator and producer that is super exciting." Casting is open now for applicants who are available to take part in the studio each week during the six-week series. The show promises a mix of humour, drama, and life-changing decisions.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Thousands attend first day of world-famous Appleby Horse Fair
THE world-famous Appleby Horse Fair kicked off today (Thursday, June 5) with thousands of people making their way to the small town for the weekend. The event, which is unorganised and described as a gathering, is one of Cumbria Police's busiest jobs of the year. The annual fair features horse riding and trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls. The town centre was bristling with police keeping an eye on the crowds and offering help to those who needed it with an estimated 80 officers in uniform as well as plain clothed officers on hand. More are expected to arrive tomorrow for the busiest days of the event, Friday and Saturday. They joined the RSPCA who were in attendance to look out for the animals. Despite the overall concerns, the first day was a hub of excitement with people who had travelled far and wide to be there. Martina Wright at Appleby 2025. (Image: Newsquest) Martina Wright and her family have been in Appleby since Saturday, travelling from Newcastle. She was keen to express that the fair 'is not all bad' which she also tries to promote through her TikTok page which has gained over 160,000 followers. She said: 'I've been coming here since I was two years old. My favourite thing about it is being involved with the horses and seeing everyone enjoying their own horses, bringing them and showing them off. 'It's not all bad. I think everyone who says Appleby is cruel and should be banned should come and see for themselves. There are people who breed horses for a living and they're so well cared for. Everyone's welcoming, you can come, and take photos and videos of the horses, people don't mind –they encourage it. 'Everyone speaks to each other, it's a nice place." Fred Welsh with his sticks. (Image: Newsquest) Fred Welsh, 71, had travelled across from Durham yesterday and has been coming to Appleby Horse Fair since he was 10 years old. He said: 'I make sticks through the dark winter months in my man shed and sell them here. I make about 100 in preparation and usually sell 80 over the weekend.' Fred sets up shop in the same place each year - in front of the river where he can watch the horses. He added: 'My favourite thing is watching people wash their horses in the river and cracking on with travellers from all over the country. Some come from as far as Ireland and others from Europe, Germany, Scotland – all over. 'I tend to see the same people every year. Some people I won't recognise but they walk past, and I see they have one of my sticks." Kimberly amongst others who braved the cold water. (Image: Newsquest) Kimberly McLoud, from Burnley, was one of the first people to brave the 'freezing' River Eden on her horse, Pegasus, alongside her mum. She has been coming to the fair since she was born. 'I'm 18 years old and I've been coming since birth," she said. "The water was freezing but the horses loved it." Jack and John with one of their horses. (Image: Newsquest) John Pughe and Jack Jones, like many others, had both brought a horse each to the fair, all the way from North Wales. John said: 'It took about four hours for us to travel. I've been coming for 25 years and Jack's been coming for 7 – he's a newcomer." The pair arrived yesterday and are planning to stay until Monday. John said he had seen a lot of change over the last two decades. He added: 'There's a lot less horses now, it's more of a gathering than a buying and selling, but we're not here for that. Our favourite thing is the atmosphere.' Appleby Horse Fair is set to continue until Sunday, June 8, with busiest crowds expected on Friday and Saturday.