A BEWDLEY teacher turned artist, who found photography when ill health forced him to give up teaching, is celebrating the launch of his first exhibition.

Tim Clarke completed an art degree at Hereford Art College last June and is thrilled to be displaying his work at the Mug House and Angry Chef restaurant on Severn Side North.

The 51-year-old is all the more proud of his achievement because some of the exhibits were taken using the first camera he was given at the age of eight.

The former special needs teacher, who retired after 27 years in the profession three years ago, also built his own studio at his house in Northwood Lane.

"Rather than just waste my pension I went to college and studied a degree in photography after retiring and then set myself up as a photographer in Bewdley," he explained.

"I work as a general photographer doing weddings and things, but there are a lot of portraits and still-life photographs in my exhibition," he added.

"I also use a pinhole camera and there aren't many photographers who use them any more - so it's fairly rare.

"I've taken the first camera I was given as a child and converted it into a pinhole and that's what I used for some of the photos in the exhibition."

More information on the showing, which runs until November 28, can be obtained by calling 01299 402543.