A VIP VISITOR called in to a photographic exhibition at Duchy Square Centre for Creativity in Princetown recently – legendary lensman David Bailey.

The acclaimed photographer — who has a home in West Devon — was invited to attend a display of photographs taken by photography degree students currently studying at Plymouth College of Art.

He spent time looking at the works and chatting with some of the students during the visit to the recent exhibition entitled Now and Again.

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Mr Bailey has photographed scores of celebrities, including models Mary Quant and Jean Shrimpton and stars of the screen and stage such as Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Mia Farrow and Catherine Deneuve.

He was invited to Duchy Square by a friend of the Rev Nick Shutt, one of the photographers exhibiting work in the show.

Nick had a number of works on display, including his clever re-working of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper — using members of West Devon football club, Walkhampton FC.

Nick, rector of the West Dartmoor Benefice who lives in Walkhampton, said he felt extremely privileged that a photographer of Bailey's stature had taken time out to meet some of the students and see the show.

He said: 'He was very generous with his time and chatted to us about his current work, as well as fielding questions we put to him.

'He was very complimentary about the works and we all found it extremely beneficial to get advice from one of the world's leading photographers.'

All the photographs were taken as part of the students' degree studies.

Opened in March last year, the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity offers low cost workshop space on two floors and is helping boost the local economy by connecting local businesses with other key industry sectors.

 The artists and creative practitioners take part in workshops organised by the centre, but also stage their own sessions with smaller groups in their own studios.

Anyone wishing to find out more about all the workshops on offer should telephone the centre on (01822) 890828 or visit the website http://www.duchysquare.org">www.duchysquare.org