A fascinating insight in to the North Norfolk coast at high tide is captured in an exhibition which starts today of aerial pictures by Norfolk photographer Martin Hayward-Smith.

He shot the images in August 2009 during one of the biggest high tides of the year and said the conditions 'could not have been better.'

'My shoots took me from Blakeney to Thornham, through the air,' said Mr Hayward-Smith. 'I have chosen 18 photographs to show how vulnerable and beautiful the coastline is. The sea smothering the marshlands and buffeting up to the sea defences.'

The High Tide exhibition at Morston Anchor, near Wells - which is open daily from today at 9am for the next two months - is the first he has held several years.

The wildlife photographer has been filming around the world as well as in the UK for several TV programmes and his last book with David North - 'Elements of the North Norfolk Coast' - has now sold 10,000 copies.

He explained the background to having the exhibition.

'Five weeks ago I received a call from Harry Farrow, a close acquaintance who has now taken on the lease of the Morton Anchor as head chef and requested I exhibit my collection of photographs.'

Mr Hayward-Smith said getting the pictures had involved many months of planning, mainly depending on the 'great old British weather playing ball.'

He said: 'All that I required was blue skies, no wind and most of all no haze for on most other years when the tide had been at its highest I have had to abandon ship at the last moment, due to unforeseen circumstances.

'Admittedly, it was hard at times with regard to form and composition, there was so much water, normality is sandbars and muddy creeks,' said Mr Hayward-Smith, who is currently filming for the next Ray Mears series, and also working alongside Jimmy Doherty.

The pictures in the exhibition are for sale as limited editions and 20 of each photographs are available.