A TALENTED photographer is gaining new admirers — and helping out a charity in memory of a family friend.

Camera enthusiast Samuel Strickland has gained a captive audience in recent months by displaying his vivid images of urban life on his own website.

The 22-year-old, of Irwell Street, Radcliffe, decided to put his talents to good use by selling off framed prints of his images, with all proceeds going to The Christie Hospital.

It was at The Christie that 12-year-old Ben O'Shea, of The Crescent, Prestwich, died two years ago after losing his battle with cancer.

Samuel, who is friends with Ben's older brothers Ryan and Declan, said he wanted do so something in Ben's memory after Ben's mother Sarah encouraged people to support the hospital on the anniversary.

"My prints are quite popular and it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to sell them for The Christie in Ben's memory. It's a really good cause,” said Samuel, who works as a customer services adviser at Dunelm homeware in Radcliffe.

He added: "The response so far in September has been so good that I'm going to extend it into October. I'm really pleased to be able to do something helpful for the hospital.

"It's good that new people are buying the prints."

Some of Samuel's photos were taken abroad, as he had enjoyed recent trips in Amsterdam and Greece, though many of the snaps are quaint observations of urban life in the UK.

Among his popular photographs are of St Thomas's Church in Radcliffe, Manchester United's Old Trafford ground, and shots of city centre landmarks like the Manchester Wheel, ducks outside the Urbis, and the River Irwell.

Samuel said he takes so long taking his pictures on trips to Manchester city centre, he has to carefully plan his days out to avoid being late for other appointments.

"People do say that I am slow when walking around town because I always want to take pictures when something catches my eye," said Samuel, who studied at St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich.

He added: "I use a certain lighting technique that people seem to like and my prints are either £10 or £20, so people find the cost quite reasonable."

To view and buy Samuel's prints: visit samuelstrickland.co.uk