Striking shots of UK’s natural wonders

Dr Matt Doggett 33, from Southampton, was named the overall winner for his image of gannets. He took the photograph at an undisclosed remote location off the north coast of Scotland, while working on a project with a friend.

It shows a group of the seabirds diving through the surface of the water. Dr Doggett said: “It was an incredible experience being in the water surrounded by these high- speed divers.”

Greg Armfield, from environmental charity World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the judges, said it is “a striking image that manages to capture in parallel the raw power and grace of the diving gannets”.

“A beautiful and evocative shot,” he added.

Organisers said they received thousands of entries for this year’s competition, which was judged over 12 categories as well as having two junior-level awards.

The book, British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 3, published today, contains all of the winning images, which range from marine life, woodland and scenes from entrants’ back gardens.

Competition director Maggie Gowan said: “This has been the highest level of entries so far since the competition launched in 2009.

“Especially satisfying has been the increase in young entries with the partnership between RSPB Wildlife Explorers and BWPA, which bodes well for the future of wildlife conservation and photography.”

The winning images and commended entries will be showcased in a travelling exhibition, which will be at Mall Galleries, London from September 17 to 22.

Over the coming months it will also visit venues including Nunnington Hall, near York.