The wonders of nature have been captured in all their glory by some of the country’s best young photographers.

From a pair of rutting deer to a red squirrel bathed in a ray of evening sunlight, these are the pictures that have taken the top prize in the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards. The snapshot of the woodland squirrel was taken by 16-year-old Will Nicholls.

The teenager from Haydon Bridge, near Hexham, took the picture in Kielder Forest, in Northumberland.

• See more pictures in our gallery to your right

More than 8,000 children entered the competition, with pictures featuring various animals from terriers playing on a beach to lions snarling at each other.

The teenager, who was presented with his award at a ceremony at the Tower of London, also won the 16 to18-year-olds category for the same image.

Photographer Danny Green, one of the judges, said: “This is a very intimate portrait of an elusive creature – a truly deserving winner.

“The way the light is shining on the squirrel in this picture makes you feel as if it is you, the viewer, who has happened across it. It is very personal, giving you the impression that you are actually there.

“This is all the more powerful because the red squirrel is not doing too great at the moment – there has been a massive decline and it is now a very rare species.”

Will said: “Initially I wasn’t too impressed with the photo, but looking at it now I can see why it’s special.

“It was completely unexpected to get anywhere, never mind win the overall competition, I didn’t expect it. I’m shell-shocked.”

He said: “It’s something I’ve always been interested in, I want to get into natural history documentaries when I’m older.”

Will won a three-day wildlife photography break and a camera kit.

Sam Rowley, 17, from Richmond, west London, was awarded the title of best portfolio for pictures he took of deer in Richmond Park.

Two excited whippets skipping along a beach won Amy Wilton, 16, from Fareham, Hampshire, the pet personalities category while a synchronised caterpillar eating team meant that Georgia Hardy, 12, from Bristol topped the 12 to 15-year-olds group.

A portrait of a Black-tailed Godwit standing one-legged on a post won 10-year-old Sophie Bramall from Stafford the under-12s title.

The awards were presented by wildlife filmmaker and TV presenter Simon King, who also helped judge the awards.

He said: “The standard of the entries this year has been just incredible and it is a privilege to be involved in this competition.

“It is fantastic to see such young talent pour so much imagination and originality into capturing the spirit of an animal and our relationship with them.”