A KEEN snapper said he was "stunned" to hear he had achieved one of the top five marks in the country in A-Level photography.

Mature student James Chinnery, of The Lee, took the course at Amersham and Wycombe College.

And out of 4,035 students who sat the exam, 33-year-old Mr Chinnery was one of the five best nationally.

He said: "I have always wanted to stretch myself in aspects of fine art such as painting and photography and the A-Level course was one way of doing that.

"My tutor Beth Ring could not have been more supportive."

The success comes after Mr Chinnery had to pull out of a Fine Art course due to illness.

Course tutor Beth Ring said: "I am so pleased that James has had this success - he thoroughly deserves it for his hard work and commitment."

He joins a growing list of Amersham and Wycombe College photography students who have achieved national or international success.

Earlier this year Elizabeth Gordon was judged Britain's best digital photographer on the Channel 4 series, Picture This'.

Mr Chinnery now plans to move to Tunbridge Wells to develop his portfolio in preparation for a career as a practising fine artist and photographer.