Villager Jim

Award-winning photographer Villager Jim has pledged his support for the continuing quest to promote the Peak District and Derbyshire to a global audience.

Jim – who has been dubbed ‘the Banksy of the photographic world’ - has agreed to become an ambassador for Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, as part of the official tourist board’s bid to put the area on the regional, national and international tourism map.

Famous for his stunning wildlife images, idyllic country lane scenes and laid-back labrador shots, Sheffield born Jim says he is very excited about being asked to take on the new role to help raise awareness of the Peak District and Derbyshire and the tourist board’s marketing campaigns.

“I feel very honoured that Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has asked me to become an ambassador, because it enables me to play an even more active part in letting as many people as possible know about this beautiful area where we are so privileged to live and work,” said Jim, who prefers to keep a low profile, but made a rare exception when he appeared on BBC TV’s popular Countryfile in 2014.

“It’s a true pleasure to share my photographic diary of daily life here with 1.3 million visitors to my website and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, and by working together, the tourist board and I aim to bring in even more staying visitors to enjoy its breathtaking wildlife, landscapes and attractions – from everyday farm life to beautiful birds of prey, and everything in between.”

Jim now has has around 190,000 followers on Facebook, plus over 5,000 followers on Twitter and 8,700 followers on Instagram