A FORMER vet who was also a keen photographer found his job gave him great opportunities for picture-taking, members of Leominster Civic Trust heard.

Gareth Thomas, now a professional photographer, recalled his years as a veterinary surgeon and of being called out to farms at unsocial hours of the night.

It was during such early morning travelling that he realised the potential for taking exceptional photographs in superior lighting conditions, free from human interference.

Gareth showed slides of snow-covered Clee Hill, ancient oak trees, breath-taking landscapes, individual snowdrops and foxgloves, old barns, birds, butterflies, Ludlow's famous Feathers Hotel and many other notable buildings.

Civic trust members were enthralled with his stunning pictures. Even a field full of blue flax came evocatively to life under his lens.

Gareth explained that he owed some of his success simply to patience. He would often arise at 6 am or earlier, and would wait crouched in a damp field for perhaps two or three hours until that two-minute window when the sun was perfectly positioned and the lighting conditions were perfect.

Trust chairman Dennis Hawkins said: "The results of his patience, his skill and artistry, and his profound knowledge of the subjects under his lens were on the screen for all to see. The audience were held spellbound for the entire evening."

l Leominster Civic Trust is holding its AGM on February 10 at the Talbot Hotel at 8pm, followed by a discussion on topics of general interest.