Beautiful Shropshire scenes captured by drone - in pictures and video

From the medieval castle peering over Ludlow town centre to the colourful sights of Oswestry Balloon Festival – each picture was captured from a drone.

The images above were taken by the Drone Rangers, a group ran by Virtual Shropshire, who showcase some the county’s most beautiful landmarks from where we can’t see them. Decades ago, taking photographs from above would have meant flying with a helicopter or aeroplane.

But now, it’s been made much easier, thanks to the rising popularity of drones, which you can snap up for as little as a few hundred quid.

The group, which is headed by pilot and Virtual Shropshire owner Paul Hutchinson, has taken shots from across Shropshire and into Mid-Wales. Mr Hutchinson has been flying drones since 2013 and acquired his commercial qualification in more than two years ago.

It is against the law to operate commercial drone flights without a the relevant certificate and insurance and all of the group’s flights are conducted in accordance with the Air Navigation Order.

Even though the group have the expertise to photograph some beautiful sceneries, they must follow strict rules and guidelines.

Their aircrafts – which are capable of taking HD videos and 12 megapixel pictures – can only stay airborne for 15 minutes and flying in town’s can often be restricted.

The group cannot fly within 50 metres of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the pilot, over or within 150 metres of an open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons. or higher than 400 feet above the take-off point. Despite this, it doesn’t stop the group from taking incredible pictures.

Not only do the Drone Rangers fly high for our viewing pleasure, but the group promote events small and large, do commercial work to advertise properties for sale and even offer flat and 3D drone mapping services to create Google Earth-type maps of land.

For more details on the group visit dronerangers.co.uk