WHAT started out as a hobby has led to him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Peter Kay and music stars George Ezra and Little Mix.

A former bus driver John Craig, 42, from Leach Lane has been covering charity events and festivals for around eight years.

Now a freelance photographer John is the official photographer for Halton Rocks and Rec’d All Day. He also works with the Mersey Storm wheelchair rugby league team.

With a burgeoning reputation it was through his photographic work that he was asked to take the pictures for the big lights switch on at Blackpool.

He explained how he started: “I had just got divorced and needed a hobby. Over the years I kept gradually improving my equipment and was asked to cover an event for a young suicide prevention charity in Widnes. And it has all stemmed from there.

“Most of my work still involves charities.”

John said the atmosphere on the night was fantastic: “There must have been around 20,000 there and I was right at the front of the stage.

“Rebecca Ferguson was there and George Ezra. He said ‘hello, that’s a nice lens you’ve got there’. I’ve already got my foot in the door for next year at the switch on and will be out and about covering more festivals in the next few weeks.”

You can see more of John’s photos at rockshotphotography.weebly.com/.