A talented 11-year-old from Goffs Oak has been nominated for the RSPCA's Young Photographer Awards after submitting his stunning nature snaps.

Alex Gray is up for awards after putting forward his pictures of an Old World Swallowtail butterfly and "Surfacing" which shows a snake breaking through water.

Getting the shots, which were taken on a summer holiday to the Balkans, required some patience, with Alex telling the Welwyn Hatfield Times: "It took a long time to get the shot of the snake.

"I spent about 45 minutes tracking it in and out of the rocks and positioned myself in an ideal spot as it reappeared.

"I waited until its head broke through the water and captured the ripples as they started to spread around it.

"The butterfly was quite a rare one to see and on my first chance to photograph it I got too excited, ran towards it and it flew away.

"I got a second chance a week later, so I was more careful and had time to try out a few angles to get the perfect lighting."

Alex has ambitions to become a photographer.Alex has ambitions to become a photographer. (Image: Will Gray)

The talented 11-year-old described being nominated for the RSPCA award as "very special", having began photography during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is very special because it’s a big competition in the UK and to be shortlisted twice is just amazing," he continued.

"My interest in photography all started in my back garden during COVID and after taking a few pictures, it turned into a real passion.

"I got a good camera and lens and kept trying to do more, learn new techniques and get better and better.

"I’ve entered other competitions, but this is the first time I’ve been shortlisted. When I got the letter, I couldn’t really believe it."

Alex is already eyeing a career in photography, but only if the England cricket team don't come calling.

"I would love to be a photographer, if I don’t make it into the England cricket team," he said. 

"I have always enjoyed photography. I have a real passion for nature and animals, and photography is a great way to demonstrate the importance of the outside world and how we need to protect it."