An award-winning Western Morning News photographer is exhibiting 95 pictures from his 20-year career.

The work of freelance snapper Richard Austin is being displayed at the Town Mill Galleries, Lyme Regis.

Richard specialises in photographing animals and contributes to the Western Morning News Animal Magic feature.

One of his favourite shots is that of four baby badgers running in a field with their surrogate mother Nikki Hawkins.

Richard said: “I must have shot hundreds of frames and there was just one second, one frame that made the picture.

“I was there because it was the last time the badgers were going to be together with Nikki. It was my only chance to get the picture I wanted.

“They asked me 18 months ago to do the exhibition and it’s crept up on me so fast. I have had to trawl back through my files to find pictures that people will be interested in looking at.

“During the last 20 years I’ve had the chance to cover such a vast range of pictures – from news to sport to animals.

“Out of all the types, I think pictures of animals are the most popular with people. They are the ones that people are interested in. I’ve always got a good response from them.”

In the early 1990s, Richard was named South West Photographer of the Year by the National Union of Journalists.

He was also shortlisted for the Regional Photographer of the Year title at last year’s Press Gazette awards and has been commended by the Kodak Awards.

Richard is also publishing a new book this autumn, More Westcountry Animal Magic, featuring his work.