A BASILDON youngster with an eye for a moment of animal magic has picked up a top prize after the public voted 11-year-old Caitlin Beckett as winner of the RSPCA's 'People's Choice' photo competition.

Caitlin's picture of a mother goose and her goslings taking a walk along a path was one of 14 animal snaps taken by youngsters ranging in age from 10 to 18 which were shortlisted for the animal charity's competition.

A record total of nearly 12,000 votes were cast online by members of the public with Caitlin's eye-catching photo achieving the most votes.

Caitlin's picture was taken during a walk on Canvey Island during last year's lockdown. She said: "When I received the email to say that I had won I was blown away and I want to thank everyone that voted.

"I love to take photographs when I am out and about especially in my local park as we have so much wildlife and natural beauty, I am going to put my prize towards a camera.

"The day that I took this photo I was out on my daily lockdown walk and came across the Goose with over 30 goslings which I thought would make a great photo as I had never seen so many babies out for a walk.

"I would highly recommend entering this year's competition and I will be doing the same and I can hopefully capture another great photo."

As winner of the RSPCA People's Choice competition - part of the animal charity's annual RSPCA Young Photographer Awards - Caitlin will receive £100 worth of vouchers from Amazon.co.uk, an RSPCA Young Photographer Awards trophy and a certificate.

Back in December 2020 RSPCA Vice President Chris Packham announced the winners of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2020 at an online awards ceremony - following judging in September.

The 'People's Choice' award - which Caitlin Beckett has won - is part two of the main RSPCA Young Photographer Awards competition and comprises of a special online poll where the public can pick their winning photo from the 2020 competition's Mobile Phone and Devices category featuring three age groups of Under 12s, 12-15s and 16-18 year olds plus the Picture Perfect Pets category.