A GRADUATE from Blackburn College will be holding a six-month photography exhibition at Manchester Museum, starting this weekend.

Martin Wilson's display, which will run from Saturday, January 26 to July 31, involves showcasing the ‘red list’ of rare and endangered insects within the UK.

The launch of Mr Wilson's exhibition comes just three months after the 36-year-old graduated from the University Centre at Blackburn College, with a first-class honours in BA (Hons) Photography.

Speaking in an interview with colleagues at his former college, on Fielden Street, the Darwen man said: “I can’t believe that my work will be seen by so many people in such a large, established gallery."

“The exhibition came about after working with the entomologists at Manchester Museum where I photographed rare and endangered insects from the Museum’s 3.5 million collection.

“When photographing the insects, I use the process of ‘focus stacking’ which is a digital image processing technique where multiple images are taken at different focus distances to produce an image with a greater depth of field.”

Richard Peregrine, photography lecturer at the University Centre at Blackburn College, said: “We are thrilled for Martin and so proud of the work that he has created.

“It is a major achievement for a student to secure such a major exhibition which is testament to Martin’s hard work and vision."

The exhibition, which has been featured in Countryfile, will be held on the third floor of the Oxford Road museum and entry is of no charge.