A BUDDING 10-year-old photographer has snapped up second prize in a national competition after entering pictures of her pet cat.

Lucy Fellows, of Stourport, was awarded a digital camera and colour printer by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association - BSAVA - at its 50th annual veterinary congress, at Birmingham's NIA and International Convention Centre.

The Lickhill Lodge First School pupil took a photo of her mother, Louise, hugging Fox, one of two family rescue cats which both suffer with rare blood disease, haemobartonella.

While taking the cats for their regular blood tests at Mitton Gardens-based Bay Tree Veterinary Centre, the pair spotted the photography competition poster.

The family were given a guided tour around the NIA stands before Lucy's award presentation, at the ICC, in front of 2,000 veterinary delegates, where Lucy was placed second and handed her prizes, including a cookery book.

Lucy said: "I was really excited but a little nervous on the stage so I stood really still.

"They did the presentation in categories and called out our names and then read out the winners, from third to first." Mrs Fellows said that the family also met wildlife photography expert, Simon King, presenter of the BBC's Big Cat Diary, who was handing out the awards and celebrity vet, Steve Leonard, and had a "fantastic" time.