I started photography at the age of nine. In 2004 my interest in photography developed into a passion. I won the 11-14 year old category in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, with a photograph of the Aurora Borealis.

Since then I've also had a highly commended and won the 11-14 category again in 2007. In 2008 I was the Young Garden Photographer of the Year with a image of a Partridge staring at a window. I've also received several awards in the Focus Environment competition

The village where I live is surrounded by arable farmland, conifer plantations and is a short distance from the Sidlaw hills the entire area is teeming with wildlife. Living here is ideal for nature photography as there are many opportunities.

In 2009 I was named the Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is the most prestigious of its kind in the world, this year attracting 43,135 entries from 94 countries. I was the winner of the 15-17 year old category with my photograph, "Clash of the Yellowhammers." I had no idea I was the overall winner until it was announced at the awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London, the above photograph shows the moment I walked up to accept my award. This was the highlight of my photographic career and had been my dream ever since I started Wildlife Photography all those years ago...

The following morning was the press event in the exhibition gallery at the museum, here I am standing with my Mum; Yvonne beside my winning photograph.

The week was to end at the WildPhotos Nature Photography Festival at the Royal Geographic Society in London, I'd been asked by Roz Kidman-Cox to give a presentation, little did I know I'd be the very last speaker of the entire event! However, once I started speaking the nerves faded and I hope anyone who was there enjoyed my talk about the wildlife of my very own garden.

Mark Carwardine(Chairman of the judging panel); Fergus Gill (Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year) ©Natural History Museum

Mark Carwardine(Chairman of the judging panel); Fergus Gill (Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year) and Jean-Dominique Mallet (CEO, Veolia Environmental Services) ©Natural History Museum