THE talents of an 11-year-old Tynedale photographer have earned him a place on the judging panel at this year's North-East Wildlife Photography competition.

Mowden Hall pupil Max Eve is no stranger to the competition, having won the young person's section in 2014 with a picture of a coot mother and chick taken at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's Washington Wetland Centre.

And in the 2015 competition, he won first and second place in the same category, with a red grouse in the snow on Killhope Moor and a caterpillar curled on a leaf.

The competition organisers have been so impressed by Max's work that he has been invited to help judge the young person's category this year.

"It is an honour to be asked," said Max from Thorngrafton, near Bardon Mill.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all the entries. I'll be looking for pictures which show wildlife in their own environment."

A natural interest in wildlife prompted Max to first pick up his dad's camera when he was only six or seven, and since then he has travelled to nature reserves and beauty spots across the UK with his family.

"My favourite things to photograph are birds," explained Max, who was up against 1,600 other entries with his winning red grouse picture.

So his prize - a pair of binoculars and a trip to the Farne Islands - couldn't have been more fitting.

Meanwhile, his classmates are set to benefit from £100, which was recently presented to Mowden Hall, at Newton, courtesy of the North-East Environmental Records Information Centre.

It works with Northumberland, Durham and Tees Valley Wildlife Trusts, the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Great North Museum: Hancock, Alan Hewitt Photography and sponsors Nestlé to make the competition possible.

Director of the Natural History Society of Northumbria James Littlewood said: "Max's excellent photo really captures the spirit of the grouse, which has to survive harsh winter conditions on the moors. 

"I think that's what stood out for us. He has a real talent."

Young Max's skills are evident in the number of regional, national and even international accolades he has now received.

His image of a blue tailed damselfly won the under 12 section in the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2015, and he has just had three images shortlisted for this year's competition - the full results are due to be announced later this month.

He has also received "highly commended" with an image called "Preening Puffin" in the international Young Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition and came runner up in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year youth category with an image of Eas Fors waterfall on the Isle of Mull.

And he became the youngest ever winner of the under 18 category in the Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year competition over the Easter holidays, with an image of a white tailed eagle taken on the Isle of Mull called "Catch of the Day".  

Headmaster at Mowden Hall Neal Bailey said: "We're all very proud of Max and are planning on framing his winning photos and hanging them somewhere in school."

The closing date for entries to this year's North-East Wildlife Photography competition is on Sunday.

For details of how to submit entries visit www.northeastwildlifephoto.co.uk

The winners will be announced by TV wildlife presenter George McGavin at a free public awards ceremony on Thursday, July 14, at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle, with the winning photos being displayed in the museum before going on tour around the region.