A PHOTOGRAPHER has published her incredible images of the Pennine Hills to celebrate the countryside on our doorstep.

Helen Shaw spent 18 months travelling from the tip of the Peak District to Hadrian’s Wall to capture the views across the Pennine district.

The 61-year-old, born in Padiham but living in Slaidburn, published her book, The Pennines, through Merlin Unwin Books. It looks at geology, history and recommends a variety of walks and trails for readers to take part in.

Helen said she uncovered lots of hidden gems.

She said: “I wanted the Pennines to get the attention it deserves. It’s such a beautiful, fascinating place that spreads over such a large area of the north of England.

“People talk about going to the Peak District or the Lake District, but we’ve got something magical on our doorstep.”

The countryside explorer left her HR manager role 16 years ago and became a professional photographer.

The book starts at White Peak, the tip of the Pennine and Peak boundary, before moving up to the South Pennines, the Forest of Bowland, going through the dales and towards the North Pennines and the Cheviot Hills.

Helen said: “My favourite places are the Forest of Bowland and around Padiham, as I have an affection with these areas as it's where I grew up.

“But the most spectacular place was the High Cup Nick in the North Pennines, it was beautiful.

“I learnt a lot from visiting these places and there were a lot of amazing and wonderful things going on that I didn’t even know were there.

“I hope my readers are motivated to go out and explore these places themselves as we do have something special here. The animals, the industrial history and the views are amazing.”

Helen, who uses a Cannon 5D Mark 3 camera, said she was happy with her pictures.

She said: “A lot of planning went into getting the photographs I really wanted.

“You don’t just want sunny pictures, you want snowy ones - as we get a lot of it on the hills - as well as other seasonal shots.”

Visit merlinunwin.co.uk