Snappy little shark shot

Photographers often have to hang around for hours in the cold and wet as they seek that perfect shot.

But one intrepid underwater lensman was bumped by charging, hungry sharks to get the stunning image.

Doug Perrine said taking pictures of bronze whaler sharks charging at a 'baitball' of sardines in South Africa was 'one of the most intense experiences of my life'.

But his patience and bravery were rewarded with the top prize in one of the world's most prestigious photographic competitions. Mr Perrine's entry, entitled Bronze Whalers Charging A Baitball, earned him the title Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

The Hawaiian's work was selected from among 18,500 entries from all over the world.

The annual contest is the world's biggest and most prestigious wildlife photographic competition, with a total prize fund of more than £16,500.It is organised by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Gabby Salazar, a 17-year-old from North Carolina, was named Young Photographer of the Year for her snap of a green anole lizard.

All category winners and some of the other entries will be shown in an exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London. It opens on Saturday and runs until April.