SNAP-happy animal lovers had better clean their lenses when an annual photo competition is launched.

Returning for its fifth consecutive year, the Marwell Wildlife Photographer of the Year looks to recognise the brightest and best of animal photography.

The acclaimed competition is open to professional, amateur, and young photographers alike.

This year’s top prize is a nine-day wildlife conservation tour across Spain. Wild Espana starts from the mountains in the north to the mouth of the Guadalquivir in the south.

The competition has four categories and judges will assess entries for photographic excellence, high quality and composition.

The categories are native wildlife (flora and fauna native or resident in the British Isles), cute and funny (Mother Nature at her cutest or most amusing), Marwell Wildlife residents and Marwell Wildlife endangered – specifically classified by IUCN as either endangered or critically endangered.

Judging this year’s competition are multi-international award winning wildlife photographer Jason Brown and picture editor of the Daily Echo Paul Collins.

Other prizes include a special day at the zoo incorporating a Junior Photographic Experience, annual memberships and camera equipment.

Deadline Entry to the competition costs £5 for adults and is free for juniors. Up to ten images can be submitted and the deadline for entries is August 31.

To enter visit marwell.org.uk/photocomp.