Nearly 50,000 entries from photographers worldwide have been made for this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The exhibit is set to open at Seaton Tramway’s Seaton Station from February 9 to April 21.

The organisers aim to underline the importance of species and natural diversity preservation.

The exhibit not only offers a feast for wildlife enthusiasts but also serves as an urgent reminder of our role in conserving the planet.

The event, which has gained global recognition since its debut in 1965, continues to attract talented photographers from 95 countries.

The latest competition's award-winning images are due for an international tour, gripping the attention of more than one million spectators.

Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, said: "We are facing urgent biodiversity and climate crises, and photography is a powerful catalyst for change.

"The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition reveals some of nature’s most wondrous sights whilst offering hope and achievable actions visitors can take to help protect the natural world."

A week of deliberation at the Natural History Museum in London drew the competition to a close.

Images were judged by an international panel of industry experts on their creativity, originality and technical excellence.

The Grand Title Award winners were unveiled on October 10 at an awards show led by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

The chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran, said: "What most impressed the jury was the range of subjects, from absolute beauty, rarely seen behaviours and species to images that are stark reminders of what we are doing to the natural world.

"We felt a powerful tension between wonder and woe that we believe came together to create a thought-provoking collection of photographs."

Visitors are invited to explore the exhibit.

Tickets are available online, starting at £7.50 for adults while children under 15 gain free entry.

For any enquiries, reach out at 01297 20375, or info@tram.co.uk.