STUDENTS at Queen Elizabeth's Community College, Crediton, heard about the experiences of a busy BBC wildlife cameraman when he spent a day presenting a series of lectures to them.

Doug Allen shared his experiences with media and photography students and also discussed environmental issues with humanities students.

Two years ago Louise Williams, a student at QECC, made a film with Doug about Polar Bears, that was shown recently on CBBC.

Louise (15), from Tedburn St Mary, travelled to Alaska to make the documentary with the professional cameramen.

It was through these links that he promised to visit the college to talk to her fellow students.

"Life behind the lens" was the subject of his first presentation to the QECC students.

Louise said she was "really pleased" that Doug had visited the college.

"I was 13 when we went to Alaska. I had previously entered a BBC competition and through that met the producer of Planet Earth.

"It was a big surprise when I had a telephone call from the BBC asking me if I would go on Planet Earth."

Louise was accompanied by her mother, Jane on the trip as well as sound recordists and field assistants.

Louise described it as the "trip of a lifetime".

Alan Quick