WESTONZOYLAND photographer Oliver Hellowell is hosting his annual exhibition later this month.

Oliver, a former pupil of both Westonzoyland Primary School and Elmwood Special School, is a great example of overcoming adversity to achieve great things.

Oliver lives with Downs Syndrome but has overcome many obstacles en route to becoming an internationally renowned landscape and wildlife photographer.

His mum Wendy O’Carroll said: “Despite his GCSE photography submissions not being accepted as examiners didn’t believe he could have captured the images himself, and being turned down for a photography course at college, Oliver is fast achieving his dream of becoming a professional photographer, and has never let a small thing like having Down Syndrome, get in his way.”

Now living in the Blackdown Hills outside the town of Taunton, Oliver’s annual exhibition and sale still takes place in Westonzoyland where it has been held every year since 2011.

Ms O’Carroll added: “After his triumphant commission to capture the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee in November 2017, 2018 has been another great year for Oliver.

“It has seen him being filmed by the BBC for a piece to be shown on ‘The One Show’ next March in the run up to World Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and also securing a publishing deal with an international publishing company to produce ‘Oliver’s Birds’, which will be published and in local book shops by next February.”

His exhibition will be running at the Old School in Westonzoyland between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, November 24, and Sunday, November 25.

Visitors will be able to meet Oliver and have the option to purchase canvasses, prints, calendars, greeting cards and mugs. For more information visit oliverhellowell.com