Artist shows off exotic wildlife pics at exhibition in Market Drayton

Ruth Playford is proudly exhibiting her shots from various trips at the Festival Drayton Centre, on display until February 22.

The 35-year-old started taking photos as a hobby almost 10 years ago but in 2015 after she married Nick Playford, the two went to Costa Rica on honeymoon and she delighted in documenting the wildlife there.

The following year the two travelled to Longyearbyen in Norway, where she snapped walruses, Arctic foxes and more.

Still not satisfied, in February 2017 Ruth and Nick went to Lapland where they got to see reindeer up close.

"I've always been fascinated by animals and nature," Ruth said. "I'm a massive fan of Sir David Attenborough and I've always thought I would like to do what he does.

"When we were kids mum and dad always took us on country walks, we were raised that way.

"It's something that is in the blood."

Ruth and Nick stayed in four different areas during their fortnight in Costa Rica, and she said it was an exhausting but rewarding tour.

Of the trip to Norway she said: "I would recommend it to anyone. The air was incredibly fresh, it was cold but comfortable. The sun was shining 24 hours a day, we had to have blackout blinds to sleep."

She reached out to the Festival Drayton Centre to ask about exhibiting her work after seeing other artists' shows.

"I read about it on the internet and saw it doesn't have to be your profession, and you don't have to be the best photographer or painter."

Ruth, a physiotherapist originally from Stoke-on-Trent, is about eight months pregnant, and she and Nick have settled down in Market Drayton.

They have hung up their exploring boots, but joked that their child will follow in their footsteps and "be a mini David Attenborough".

Ruth's photos are on sale and proceeds will go to One by One, a charity for which her brother Paul Buttery works.

The charity works to build homes and provide education for poor children the world over.