A KEEN amateur photographer from Winkleigh who has spent more than 50 years happily snapping away will stage an exhibition this weekend, aimed at encouraging other people to develop a passion for the camera.

Ken Jones from Winkleigh has received a Tarka Country Millennium Award to organise an exhibition to show what can be achieved with various cameras, through a wide range of his and others photographs.

Ken hopes to stimulate an interest in photography, not just as a hobby but also as a means of recording life as it is today for the benefit of future generations, just as people nowadays enjoy looking at photographs of the past.

As well as his own photographs, Ken has asked other people from Winkleigh if they would like to supply their photos and has given out some disposable cameras to village youngsters to enable them to participate.

Carin Cross, team leader for the Tarka Country Millennium Awards, said: ?The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to look at a wide range of photographs, spanning some 50 years.

?Ken has shown real enthusiasm for his project and we are looking forward to seeing the end result of his months of hard work and planning and hope many people will attend this free event.?

Over the years, Ken has used a wide range of cameras from the very cheap to the more expensive.

The two-day exhibition will take place Saturday and Sunday (September 13-14) at Winkleigh Village Hall between 10am and 4 pm.

Admittance is free and refreshments will be provided.