A BUDDING marine and wildlife photographer has set up his own website to showcase the daring work he did on a fact-finding tour of South Africa.

Marine biology student Daniel Locke-Wheaton says he is lucky to be alive after he was charged by a rhino and dived into shark-infested waters during his summer break.

The 20-year-old, from Birchfield Road, Kidderminster, is hoping to carve out a career combining his two great passions - marine life and photography - and is now displaying his work on his own website.

During his tour, Daniel had a heart-stopping moment while visiting the Great White Shark Institution, north of Cape Town.

While on a shark observation mission the steel-hulled catamaran sprang a leak and Daniel was forced to swim under the boat to plug the hole - while the sharks looked on.

"I was confident the sharks were not interested in me so I just revelled in the experience," said Daniel.

Later in the trip he was forced to "run for his life" after encountering a charging rhino.

"The ranger just stood in front of the rhino, put out his hand and ordered it to stop. I was off running for my life while he stood in the rhino's path. I was amazed when the rhino did just what it was told."

His mum, Jan, said she was very proud of her son's achievements.

"He has always been fascinated by marine life, ever since he saw a film about Jacques Cousteau, the famous underwater film-maker," she said.

Daniel will complete his degree next July, after spending his final year at the Isle of Man's world famous marine laboratories. He is then hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a marine photographer.

His website - www.wildphotography.co.uk - was set up with the help of his younger brother and features pictures of sharks, crocodiles, penguins and birds.

He is hoping the sale of prints will fund his studies.