A TEENAGER has won the Instagram category of a prestigious photographic competition.

The picture of a reindeer was taken by talented 17 year-old Sophie Richterová, from Brighton, whose photo was singled out from hundreds of entries.

For the first time this year, a new social media category in the RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards challenged 13 to18 year olds to upload animal photos to their Instagram feeds.

After being shortlisted, a public vote was held to decide the RSPCA Insta winner.

Sophie had entered “Svalbard Reindeer” into the Instagram category and it saw off fierce competition to be voted winner in its category by the public.

Sophie said: “I’m very happy that so many people liked my photo.

“Svalbard reindeer do not have any natural predators in the Arctic and this young reindeer was feeding just a few metres away from us, taking no notice of our presence.

“The photo was taken on a beautiful sunny day in Alkhornet, a mountain on the western coast of Spitsbergen.”

The new Instagram category is part of the annual RSPCA Young Photographer Awards which offer young people up to the age of 18 the chance to win amazing prizes in return for getting snap happy with pets, wildlife and other animals.

It attracted a record 6,595 entries from under 19s.