An exhibition of 40 stunning images of creatures from the marine world around Pembrokeshire will be shown in the galleries and café at Haverhub this month.

This exhibition which runs from Wednesday, April 5 until the end of the school term, (with private viewing on the opening night) follows Michael Crutchley’s hugely popular show hosted by Guernsey Museum but is the first to highlight the natural marine environment in Pembrokeshire.

Michael is a Haverfordwest scientist and nationally renowned observer of the natural world.

His photography of marine life and plankton has used samples from beaches around Pembrokeshire for decades, especially St Brides Bay, Dale and the Milford Haven waterways.

His magnified images of our marine wildlife have achieved international photography awards and bring a fresh perspective to our local natural world and its importance to the global marine environment.

Michael commented: “Increasing awareness about how we impact our environment is more and more important, and I hope these images help us focus on the wealth of life and natural beauty around us.

“David Attenborough and his Wild Isles show brings the focus back home and I hope the exhibition provides a new opportunity to understand and marvel at our local shores.”

Living in coastal Pembrokeshire gives Michael plenty of raw materials from both marine and fresh water environments.

Fungi are a particular interest too, especially the smaller species which are especially challenging to photograph - being so delicate.

Since 2010, Michael’s work has received international recognition. A career that began with specialist ceramics research in the 1960’s leading to Michael working on military radar and micro-electronics, and later carbon dioxide lasers.

Fast Forward 40 years and Michael swopped military for marine, retiring in 2005, and soon afterwards being gifted a research microscope by a retiring colleague.

Using his skills in engineering and a growing collection of equipment, Michael now devotes his spare time to photography .

Annabel Thomas said: “Haverhub are particularly proud to bring this exhibition into the heart of Haverfordwest.

“We have been working hard for over a year on this project and we hope to host school visits, and parents are encouraged to bring young families in to see the magical images, and anyone dropping in will be inspired by these images.

“The exhibition underwrites the crucial scientific and environmental education of our school children.”

“The exhibition has been made possible by the fantastic support of community sponsors including - South Hook LNG, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, Milford Haven Port Authority and PAVS.

“The importance of engaging our school children with the diversity of life around us in Pembrokeshire and engaging a generation in the world of science, has been recognised by each of these important contributors” explained Annabel.

Haverhub director, Gitti Coats said: “This lovely spring time exhibition celebrates our marine life in all its incredible forms – something to delight everyone.

“After all, anyone who has shown photos called ‘Slime mould fungi on rabbit droppings’ , or ‘Starfish Breathing Gills’, or perhaps the’ rasping tongue of a limpet’ could be the talking point of your next family trip to the beach!”