AN 11-YEAR-OLD from Bath has come joint runner-up in the annual RSPCA Young Animal Carer of the year competition.

Sarah Burgess, who attends St Stephen's School in Lansdown, was surprised to find she had been selected as one of four finalists because she did not know she had entered the competition.

Her mother Judith, who nominated her, said: "She knew nothing about it until the letter came saying she was a finalist. She was gobsmacked, as she put it."

Sarah won a PGL activity holiday in Britain.

Mrs Burgess said: "She has some recognition now and as I understand it the letters in the holiday title stand for 'parents get lost'."

Sarah's involvement in animal welfare has involved raising funds through selling her toys to pay for treatment for cats and dogs at the Claverton Down based RSPCA home.

She has fostered kittens at home and encouraged a nervous feral kitten to become confident, according to the RSPCA.

Recently Sarah tackled BBC programme makers over Blue Peter's coverage of bull fighting in Spain.

Mrs Burgess said: "She e-mailed Blue Peter about the way they portrayed bull fighting, which didn't emphasise the cruelty of it, because there is a major campaign by the RSPCA against it."

"She has written to the Prime Minister on other occasions about animal rights."

Mrs Burgess said she was proud of her daughter's achievement: "I am very proud indeed, she has worked extremely hard over the last couple of years starting with Bath cats and dogs home."

"She does cat cuddling up there, helps to groom and play with the cats and has done an awful lot towards rebuilding up there and appeals."

Sarah helps her mother with a pet collection business.

She shares second place in the national competition with Leah Cowan, from Hemel Hempstead.

12-year-old Robert Bland who lives in Lancashire, pipped Sarah and Leah to the top title and was awarded a Virgin holiday for two in Florida, a trophy and certificate.

Robert's achievements include a sponsored triathalon, running a pet sitting service in his free time and sponsoring a fruit bat.

National RSPCA spokesman Jamie Stevenson who attended the prizegiving in London, described the decision as close.

He said: "Sarah was judged to be one of the most dedicated children and had shown a lot of devotion.

"We got quite a lot of entries for the competition and she put forward a strong case, she's done a lot of work to improve animal welfare.

"Robert who came out top had run triathalons and was judged to be outstanding. Sarah came very close to that."

The panel of judges included television presenter Ana Boulter and celebrity RSPCA vet David Grant, of BBC programme Animal Hospital.

RSPCA children's magazine editor Michaela Miller was also on the panel. She said: "The award has given the RSPCA a brilliant opportunity to see and acknowledge the work of young people throughout the UK who are working to make things better for animals. It has been truly inspiring."

The three-year-old award scheme, sponsored by Hodder Children's Books in conjunction with the Animal Ark series, which features children who care for animals, rewards young people who show outstanding animal care.

Chobham-based Gordon's School in Surrey won the top school section of the competition, run for schools which have a special track record in animal care.