Animal lovers can head down to an exciting art exhibition this month to see some of their favourite wildlife.

Richard Winston’s Satisfaction display at the Mick Jagger Centre at Dartford Grammar School, in Shepherds Lane, Dartford, is available free of charge throughout April.

Among to 100 images are pictures of roaring hippos, galloping elephants, feeding birds and fluttering butterflies.

The 71-year-old from Sidcup snapped the creatures over the last 12 years on his visits to countries including the US, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Bulgaria and various African countries.

As a member of the Bexleyheath Photographic Society, Richard’s passion for bird watching grew after he retired as a languages teacher.

The husband and father-of-one said: “I’m delighted to have been able to stage this exhibition close to home and hope those who get the chance to see it will be happy with what they see.

“I’ve tried to exhibit a good variation of pictures of different species. I’m aware from feedback already that many viewers have a different choice of favourite picture.”

When picturing the wildlife Richard recalled some of his scariest moments, including an encounter with a Lion.

He added: “My hairiest moment was probably in South Africa in 2011.

“We were in an open jeep when a very large, black-maned male lion blocked the road.

“Its mate turns up and the guide instructed we freeze. We still managed to get some photos.

“After 10 minutes there’s a thunderous roar behind and a juvenile offspring of the two adults has appeared there.

“It approached the jeep, gives it a sniff, then walks nonchalantly past. It was within a foot of where I was sitting frozen in the jeep. I could smell it, and I’m sure it could smell me.”

Mr Winston, who has travelled the world to capture his photographs admitted some of favourite moments from the exhibition were hearing the young children saying they liked the pictures.

Gallery1

He said: "As I was setting it up a pupil from the school stood looking at a picture of a spider which I'd rested on the floor against a wall before hanging it. She was there for several minutes and I asked her if she liked the picture.

"She did, very much, despite the fact that she hated spiders. (Attached picture). During the launch I was particularly pleased that over 50 invited guests turned up, including many fellow members of the Bexleyheath Photographic Society.

"My favourite quote though is probably from my four year great nephew who came over to me and said simply "Uncle Richard, I like this picture", as he dragged me over to the Cheetah on the wall.

"It was also great to see such a large part of my photography framed and displayed together for the first time.

"Visitors can expect to see over 100 framed pictures of birds, butterflies, dragon and damselflies, insects and spiders, the occasional reptile and animals from the many countries I have visited since retiring from teaching 10 years ago."

You can view the exhibition at the Mick Jagger Centre most days between 3.30pm and 10pm.

To find out if they’re open on the day, you can ring 01322 291100 or visit www.themickjaggercentre.com.