Irish boy blown away as David Attenborough writes to aspiring young wildlife photographer

David Attenborough's letter and signed photo to aspiring young wildlife photographer Kyle Skeffington. Picture: North West Newspix

A young Co Donegal schoolboy who dreams of being a wildlife photographer has been given a huge boost after his hero David Attenborough took the time to write to him.

Kyle Skeffington, a pupil at Scoil Íosagáin Primary School in Buncrana, wrote to the world's most famous wildlife filmmaker as part of a letter-writing project.

The 11-year-old is a huge nature lover and loves tuning into Attenborough's wildlife shows.

But with the broadcaster's hectic schedule, Kyle did not hold out much hope of getting a reply from the 98-year-old.

However, the fifth-class pupil was lost for words when he received a hand-written letter from Attenborough from his home in Surrey in England.

The legendary documentary maker even included a signed picture of himself for Kyle to keep as a memento.

Kyle Skeffington with his letter from David Attenborough. Picture: North West Newspix

Kyle had told Attenborough how he was a huge fan but that his programme on parrots was his favourite and that his own favourite animal was the Arctic fox.

But curious Kyle also asked the famed natural historian his opinion on fox hunting and if he thought it should be banned.

The big-hearted broadcaster replied: "Dear Kyle, Thank you for your letter. I am so glad you enjoy my programmes. Here is a signed photograph as you requested. Best wishes, David Attenborough."

The famous wildlife expert took no time in replying personally to Kyle and did so in just a few days.

Kyle's teacher, Claire McDaid, said she was almost as excited as he was when a letter arrived at the school for her pupil.

"We were down at the shorefront when we got a call to say a letter had arrived for Kyle. We raced back and couldn't believe it when we opened the letter to see a signed picture of Sir David Attenborough.

"Even the envelope with the address on it was hand-written by Sir David. It's amazing to think that he took the time to personally reply to Kyle considering how busy he is.

"Kyle just couldn't believe it," she said.

David Attenborough.

Ms McDaid has already printed out the letter and it now hangs in a frame on the walls of the primary school in Buncrana.

In his letter, Kyle also revealed that he regularly visits the Wild Ireland Animal Sanctuary in Burnfoot on the Inishowen Peninsula.

The owner of Wild Ireland, Killian McLaughlin, heard Kyle loves his wildlife sanctuary and invited him down this week to see the Arctic foxes up close and personal.

"Getting the letter was amazing for Kyle but I genuinely think that the trip to Wild Ireland was the icing on the cake.

"Killian treated us all so well and it's a day that Kyle will remember for the rest of his life," said Ms McDaid.

Kyle also gave Ms McDaid an amazing thank-you gift after he presented her with a canvass of himself holding that famous letter from David Attenborough.