OLIVER Hellowell is a 20-year-old young man from Somerset fast achieving his dream of becoming a professional landscape and wildlife photographer. He also happens to have Down Syndrome.

Oliver featured recently on Points West as well as having published the first ever book of photography by a person with Down Syndrome last year when he also appeared LIVE on BBC'S The One Show. Oliver has a website and facebook page with over 64,000 followers.

This coming weekend, November 12 and 13, sees Oliver's annual exhibition take place in Westonzoyland.

Oliver's mother Wendy O'Carroll said: "All the media attention around the new NIPT (Non Invasive Pre-natal Testing) and the recent Sally Phillips' BBC2 Documentary have all sparked intense debate around the importance and value of children and people with Down Syndrome in our society.

"Every year Oliver's exhibition inspires and encourages all those who attend as well as raising much needed positive awareness."

Those attending get to meet the photographer himself as well as an opportunity to do some Christmas Shopping and this year to pick up some real 'one time only' bargains.

The event takes place at The Old School, School Road, Westonzoyland between 10am and 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Oliver’s love of all kinds of wildlife and the great outdoors was nourished by his mother and family whilst his skills as a photographer were born out of his initial desire to take pictures like his stepfather Mike O’Carroll.

He started at 11 and after trying various models he adopted Mike’s Canon 5D and used it until the income generated by his November 2014 exhibition enabled the purchase of a Canon 5D Mk 111.

Mrs O'Carroll added: "When environments or individuals have failed Oliver we have surrounded him with belief, encouragement and optimism.

"Patience, guidance and targeted tuition enabled Oliver to utilise the world of photography as both a tool for him to record the world in the way he sees it and as something which brings him a great sense of achievement, pride and self esteem."