A HITCHIN teenager has snapped up a prize, after winning a national photography competition.

Fifteen-year-old Robert Chapman won the Thomson Habitats competition, beating many other, more experienced and older photographers.

It was this photograph of a puffin with sand eels in its mouth (pictured) taken on the Farne Islands, just off the coast of Northumberland, that got the “unanimous vote” from the judges.

The Year 11 Priory School pupil, whose main interest is wildlife photography, was just three metres away from the bird when he took the snap. He hopes to use his �250 prize money towards a new camera.

He told The Comet: “I was so pleased to win. The runners-up were all older than me, and had much better cameras.

“My family and friends are very supportive. Everyone was thrilled that I won the competition.

“I might go into it in the future, it’s definitely an option. I really enjoy doing it.”

The youngster also uses his pictures for a good cause, by selling greetings cards from photographs that he takes and donating half the proceeds to charity. So far, he has given the Hitchin and Letchworth RSPB branch �250.

He added: “I like bird watching, and take photos of birds in my spare time. I sell cards with the photos at the Hitchin and Letchworth RSPB branch, to raise money for them. “I’ve sold over 500 so far, and have been selling them for about a year. I’ve not made any money yet though, as I’m using my 50 per cent to buy new cards.”

Robert’s cards can be bought from the North Herts RSPB branch, and his work viewed by visiting his blog at robertchapmanswildlifephotography.blogspot.com