The award-winning snapper is showing wildlife photographs from the region, the Caribbean and the Canaries at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre near Jedburgh.

The former mill worker first picked up a camera in his teens, buying himself a Box Brownie when he started work at 15.

His love affair with nature started even earlier: he says he was "intrigued" by caterpillars aged about one.

Eric taught himself natural history and photography and has gone on to win 12 International Photographic Salon medals, as well as many commended and highly commended tickets.

The 61-year-old loves taking photographs of nature.

"Any wildlife, from buzzards flying over the house to the aerobatics of dragonflies and damselflies, flowers, trees ... and I'm getting into fungi – I love the whole kit and caboodle."

His exhibition also features wildlife images from a holiday in Trinidad and Tobago two years ago.

"We were lucky enough to see 12 species of hummingbird which was a dream come true for me. I had always wanted to see them and it was fantastic being in the rainforest."

There are also images from Gran Canaria – mostly birds but also some landscapes.

"The scenery was absolutely unbelievable and the wildlife was pretty good too," he said.

Getting the perfect shot, he said, "is like if you played football in an international, and scored the winning goal; it's utter euphoria."

Eleven of his 12 medals have come from a glen close to the Royal Burgh.

A Natural Agenda is open daily until October 31.