VERNON Brooke, who has died aged 87, had a lifelong interest in photography.

He worked as a professional for 30 years and was president and the longest-serving member of the Oxford Photographic Society.

Mr Brooke, pictured above, of Jackson Road, North Oxford, was introduced to photography by his father, a keen amateur.

He once recalled: “I grew up with shutter speeds, lens apertures and lens designs ringing in my ears.”

He belonged to three professional photographic bodies and visited nearly 70 photographic clubs as a judge or lecturer. He took pictures at more than 500 weddings and carried out numerous assignments for businesses and other clients in the Oxford area.

Mr Brooke, who was a supporter and former committee member of the Oxford-Leiden twin city link, had just returned from a twinning visit to Holland when he was taken ill.

The funeral service took place at Oxford Crematorium last week.