A FORMER Cirencester College student's impressive RAF photography has been nominated for an award.

Lee Matthews, aged 36, grew up in Cirencester and has lived in many towns and villages across the area including Kemble, Fairford and Lechlade.

He first got into photography while studying it at Cirencester College, and when he left college he became a RAF photographer.

Lee has been taking some breath-taking shots of RAF aircraft for the past 17 years and this year is up for the RAF Photography People's Choice Award.

Lee took this stunning picture of a Royal Air Force C-17, ZZ175, on the deck of the Bardufoss Airbase in Norway with the Northern Lights shining above on December 2 last year.

The aircraft was flown by 99 Squadron out of RAF Brize Norton.

Lee said: "I got into photography after studying it at college, but with my whole family being linked to the military it was a natural jump going into the military as an RAF Photographer.

"I flew on the Royal Air Force C-17 to Bardufoss in Norway in support of the annual Extreme Cold British Military Exercise, Exercise Clockwork.

"While on the ground, the Northern Lights flared up behind the jet which created this shot."

In total 12 images are up for the RAF Photography Competition's People Choice Award and whichever picture gets the most likes wins.

The winner will be announced on Thursday, November 16.

To look at all the images in the running visit tinyurl.com/yj4sjprw