THE prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition returns to Cumbria next week for one month.

The work of internationally-renowned photographers will be on display at the Dock Museum, in Barrow, from August 4 to September 4.

The exhibition, which has been organised by the Natural History Museum for the past 51 years and is the most highly-regarded photography competition of its kind in the world, features 100 images, all of which are finalists in the 18 categories that make up the display.

On a nationwide tour, the exhibition stunned visitors when it was on display at Rheged, near Penrith, earlier this year.

Each year, more than 42,000 hopeful photographers send in their images, which are judged by some of the world’s top experts.

One of the finalists in this year’s competition is Keswick Photographer Rosamund Macfarlane, whose image of a Snow Hare was a finalist in the Mammals category.

The photo was taken among the snowy peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland.

This year’s photographs highlight the enduring appeal of life on earth: the 100 finalists’ images range from a butterfly encased in crystalline ice, to wrestling Komodo dragons and a magic forest in meltwater mud.

The photographs are original and innovative representations of their subject matter, showing nature at its most beautiful. They include fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking environments.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition travels to 24 countries around the world reaching millions of people, and raising awareness of conservation issues and of nature’s beauty and fragility.

Dock Museum curator Sabine Skae says: "I’m delighted to have this fantastic exhibition on display here at the Dock Museum.

"The images of the natural world are absolutely superb. The dedication, skill and patience required for some of these pictures is incredible."

The exhibition will be free to view during the Dock Museum's regular opening hours.