Holiday picture snaps prize for Ria from Sanderstead

Snap happy Ria Eldridge has loved animals since an early age and never misses an opportunity to capture a creature on camera.

But wildlife photography is becoming more than just a hobby for the 11-year-old who spends hours taking pictures with her dad's camera.

SNAP HAPPY: Ria Eldrige loves taking photographs of animals Photo no: CCRdf291209c04

She recently scooped a prize in the Young PDSA Photographer Awards after taking a stunning picture of a dragonfly.

Ria, of Hook Hill, Sanderstead, had joined the veterinary charity's pet club so she could learn more about keeping animals healthy and happy.

"I've always liked animals," she said. "I found when I was taking all the pictures I really liked photography.

"It's something I would like to do in the future.

"I've loved animals since I was seven and I've been a member of the PDSA club for about two years.

"I saw the competition in its 2008 magazine but because I was new I didn't want to enter.

"But I decided to enter in 2009 because I thought I might as well give it a go and it seemed like fun.

"I saw the dragonfly and took photographs of it from different angles and when I got them developed I decided to enter one into the competition."

Ria was on a family holiday in Rutland in August and visiting a bird sanctuary when she spotted the dragonfly.

It kept going back to the same leaf so she quickly took some snaps before it disappeared.

The photo she entered was awarded the runner-up prize in the competition's category for children aged 12 and under.

She received a goodie bag of prizes and will have her photograph published in the PDSA magazine.

Vicki Craighill, Young PDSA manager, said: "The judges loved Ria's photo.

"Her colourful photograph captured in stunning detail the dragonfly going about its daily routine."