HAPPY snappers at a North Yorkshire school have used animal magic to raise funds for charity.

Pupils at Ainderby Steeple C of E Primary School, in Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton, took part in a photography competition to raise funds for their school's chosen charity, the RSPCA.

The contest, organised by teacher James Hodgson, attracted nearly 200 entries from children and their families at 50p per photo. Three of the six categories were for animal pictures.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't possible for children to bring their pets into school, so I thought it would be good if the children brought in photos of their pets instead," said Mr Hodgson.

The winners in the animal category were five-year-old Jack Cross, with his snap of his tabby cat Kitty, and seven-year-old Frankie Phillips, with a photo of her puppy Tess.

In the non-animal section, Grace Eyles, six, was a winner with her picture of a stairway at the Arc de Triomphe during a recent visit to Paris.

Ten-year-old Emily Miller won the competition for older children with a photograph of snowdrops. Parents Tim Bailey and Julie Walker won the adults' section.

The competition was judged by Debi Price, RSPCA regional fundraising manager.

The winners were presented with framed enlargements of their prints from sponsor Keith Sanderson Photographic Shop and market trader Andrew Haw, of Skelf Frames.

Mr Hodgson said: "We were surprised at the high standard of photography and it was hard to choose winners from so many excellent entries."

The contest raised £91 for the RSPCA, which means the school has raised £500 since September.