A BOOK capturing the diversity of Britain's wildlife is published today as the winners of this year's British Wildlife Photography Awards are announced.

Dr Matt Doggett 33, from Southampton, was named the overall winner for his image Gannet Jacuzzi.

He took the photograph of a group of the seabirds diving at an undisclosed remote location off the north coast of Scotland while working on a project with a friend.

Dr Doggett said: "It was an incredible experience being in the water surrounded by these high-speed divers."

Greg Armfield from charity the World Wildlife Fund, who was one of the judges, said it was "a striking image that manages to capture in parallel the raw power and grace of the diving gannets".

Organisers said they received thousands of entries to this year's competition, which was judged over 12 categories and also had two junior-level awards.

Category winners included Amanda Hayes from Suffolk, whose brutal image Herring Gull and Puffin was judged the best entry capturing animal behaviour; and Neil McIntyre from Aviemore, whose striking Red Deer Stag in Pine Forest was named best animal portrait.

The book, British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 3, contains all of the winning images.

These will also be showcased, along with commended entries, in a travelling exhibition that will visit Glencoe Visitor Centre later in the year.

Stephen Moss, chairman of the judging panel, said: "British wildlife photography is now better than ever, with fabulous images by some of our greatest photographers gracing this award."