A YOUNG whipper-'snapper' has made it through to the finals of a national photography competition, for the second year in a row.

Animal-lover Jenny Lea, 13, impressed judges so much in the RSPCA Young Photographer awards with her picture of a pet praying mantis that they shortlisted her for the top prize.

Jenny, of Dale Avenue, Longton, was picked along with 40 other entrants after judges looked at more than 6,000 pictures. Now she could scoop the top prize of a camera and £250.

Jenny, who goes to Priory Technology College, Penwortham, said: "The first final was unexpected. Doing it again is really surprising!"

Last year Jenny melted the judges' hearts with a photograph of a kitten wrapped in a blanket.

Jenny will join the other excited finalists on December 12, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. There are two age groups, under 12 and 12 to 18. The winner from each group gets a camera and £100 and the overall winner a camera and £250. Eight runners-up will get £50 and a camera. The winners and runners-up will even have their work exhibited for a month. Mum Fiona, who has been shortlisted for another wildlife award herself after helping renovate Brickcroft pond in Longton, said: "I'm very proud of her -- we all are. I like taking photographs myself and we are all quite interested in nature."