A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has snapped his way from London's South Bank to Singapore.

Billy Rowlinson from near Sutcliffe Park in Eltham, has beaten off international competition to become the winner of the Youth Olympic Photographer Challenge.

He has now been sent to the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore as an official International Olympic Committee accredited photographer where he will receive coaching from a professional.

Speaking before his big trip, he said: “I’m really excited to get some tips and speak to the athletes because they’re my age.

"As I’m under 18, I have to take my mum with me, but I’m sure she’ll find something to do.”

News Shopper: The winning image Billy entered the competition through the photo and video website Flickr. His winning photo of BMX cyclists on the South Bank was deemed the image which truly captured the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games.

He added: “I submitted my pictures about three months ago and to be honest, completely forgot about it. Then I got an email, followed by a call to let me know I had won.

"My friends are all into art. I have always been incapable of drawing or painting, so photography is like my art.

"I sort of just picked it up. I have never had any formal training and am self-taught through books and trial and error.”

Singapore is hosting the first ever Youth Olympic Games which ends on August 26.