A new exhibition supported by nature presenter Chris Packham features a series of striking bronze bird sculptures - including a towering 11ft tall peregrine falcon.

The exhibition highlights some of Britain's most beloved bird species by immortalising them in bronze.

A great crested grebe stands at more than 6ft tall, while the other figures are faithful recreations of life-size specimens, including a barn owl and an osprey.

The 'Birds of the New Forest' exhibition at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington, spotlights the diverse nature of the Forest through the work of minimalist sculptor Geoffrey Dashwood.

His exhibition combines well-known birds of the Forest with rarer creatures, such as nightjar, and even the occasional bird that is now extinct in the area, like the black grouse.

Mr Dashwood, who lives in Ringwood,  is known for his signature smooth sculptures, which eliminate superfluous detail, and his use of coloured bronze.

Springwatch presenter Chris Packham is a "long-time admirer" of the 69-year-old's work, according to exhibition curator Steve Marshall, and was "instrumental" in making the exhibition happen.

Mr Marshall said: "Chris has written all the texts for the exhibition and accompanying catalogue and, as a household name and popular broadcaster, he is able to bring Geoffrey's work and the New Forest wildlife to a large audience.

"Geoffrey's sleek, streamlined sculptures are highly original, distinctive and beautiful. The fact that Geoffrey has lived in the Forest all his life and is intimately connected with its landscape and wildlife makes him the perfect subject for an exhibition here."

This marks the third exhibition of Mr Dashwood's work at St Barbe Museum, which was most recently shown in 2012.

'Birds of the New Forest' will be open to the public from July 15 until September 9.