A WELL known photographer who was fondly known as 'Mr Cleckheaton' has died, aged 75.

Barry Mounsey ran his studio, John Barry Photography, in Cleckheaton for over half a century and as well as specialising in portrait and wedding photography he was a freelance newspaper photographer for the Telegraph & Argus and Spenborough Guardian.

He started as an apprentice for a Brighouse studio in the 1960s and opened his portrait studio in 1970. A keen car and steam train enthusiast, he also photographed steam events and classic car festivals.

Mr Mounsey's friend and fellow photographer Porl Medlock said: "Barry was a prolific photographer, he did a bit of everything.

"He covered a lot of Bradford City football matches over the years and he covered some big news stories, and photographed famous faces at venues like Batley Variety Club.

"He worked for the breweries Tetley's, Webster's and John Smith's, local darts teams and pub trade magazine the Morning Advertiser. He was a big steam engine fan, and a prolific railway photographer. He was even known to sometimes sleep on benches at train stations, just so that he was there to get the right shot.

"His portrait studio was very well known, lots of people will have memories of going there to have family photographs taken, and he still worked with film.

"He must have photographed at least half the weddings in the Cleckheaton area over the years. His catchphrase was 'Banana round!' which he'd shout out as he arranged people for group shots."

Added Mr Medlock: "I can't say I've ever met anyone who had a bad word to say about Barry. Everyone knew him in the Spen Valley area - he was 'Mr Cleckheaton'. When I was starting out in the 1980s he looked after me and gave me jobs. He was a great friend and a mentor.

"He was a very nice man who was really committed to what he was doing, and he loved every minute of it. He was still doing occasional jobs recently. He just got on with the job, and he was good at what he did. He was a legend."

Mr Mounsey died at his home after collapsing earlier this month. He had suffered a stroke a few months previously.

His late partner, Elaine, who worked with him in his Cleckheaton studio, died several years ago. They had a son, Wayne Masterman, three grandchildren; Jack, Harry and Emilybeth, and three great grandchildren, Rosie, Freddie and Mabel.

Wayne said: "Dad loved cars and steam trains. He had a collection of Jaguars and I used to take him to Jaguar days and other car shows. He was in the Jaguar Drivers' Club and the Capri Club.

"He loved train spotting and photographed steam trains as far as Germany. He often took me with him to steam events when I was a child.

"He still had his photography studio, everyone knew him in the area. He lived in the same house in Cleckheaton that he was born in. He photographed events at the Ritz in Brighouse and lots of Bradford clubs, and he did jobs for companies like Morrisons, covering store openings. He helped me set up my security business in Halifax."

Mr Mounsey's funeral will take place at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland on Thursday, November 4 at 2.15pm.