A round-Britain photographer has arrived in Norfolk to collect images for a unique visual arts project, inspired by conservation and the natural landscape.

Mike McFarlane began a 12-month tour of the UK in April and has already covered thousands of miles using mainly public transport and his fold-away bicycle.

The eco-conscious photographer has already captured the rugged beauty of the Isles of Scilly and Scotland since leaving his home in County Durham.

And he has now reached Norfolk for the latest stage in his project, commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, to create 360-degree interactive panoramas and virtual reality 'tours' of landscape-scale conservation schemes.

He is visiting reserves in the Gaywood and Bure Valleys managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT), which hopes the resulting images will inspire people about the natural world and illustrate the trust's vision for a 'Living Landscape'.

After leaving the heathland habitats of the NWT's Roydon Common and Grimston Warren reserves near King's Lynn, Mr McFarlane arrived yesterday at the wetland and grazing marsh at Upton Broad and Marshes, near Acle.

He said: 'When I left my job as an engineer to pursue a career as a landscape photographer I very much wanted my business to be ethical and environmentally-friendly and, not only entertain people, but to educate and inspire.

'I'm excited to see how Norfolk Wildlife Trust's schemes are capturing the imagination of local communities, bringing people together for long-lasting positive change.'

Ed Parnell, PR and communications manager at NWT said: 'We're looking forward to seeing the results of Mike's exhausting round-Britain bike tour, with the Gaywood and Bure Valley Living Landscapes displayed in all their 360-degree glory. We hope the project will highlight the importance of Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Living Landscape initiative and illustrate how closely nature ties in with the way we live our lives.'

Mr McFarlane specialises in landscape, architectural and 360-degree virtual reality photography. He said he was committed to protecting the countryside and hoped to lower the carbon footprint of his journey by using public transport and his bike to get to remote locations, rather than driving or taking flights.