AMATEUR photographers young and old have had their work displayed at an exhibition in West Swindon.

The Swindon Photographic Society (SPS) has put on an exhibition of around 70 photographs from a huge range of subject matter, from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to a Chinese Army soldier, standing guard in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, to portraits or families and children.

All the society members are photographic enthusiasts in their spare time. The youngest member of society is aged around 22 while the oldest is in his late 80s.

This year, freelance photographer, Lee Preston, judged the photographs, which were short-listed for the display.

"It is surprising, very few of the photographs in the exhibition were taken in Swindon," explained exhibition secretary, Tony Powell who specialises portrait photography and has several of his photos in the showcase.

Pictures were taken using range of techniques, including digital photography, which is ever increasing in popularity, and also using normal camera film and traditional film developing techniques, and also a mixture, of camera film and digital printing.

First established in 1898, the society celebrated it's centenary in 1998 when it was renamed from the Swindon Camera Club to the present Swindon Photographic Society.

"Anyone can join the society," said Malcolm Cole, SPS vice-president. "They don't even need a camera. All our members are really friendly. We all discuss photographic techniques and share our experiences, allowing all of us to improve our photography, and this exhibition is the end result."

The society caters for all types of photographers and meets every Thursday at the Western Community Centre.

The SPS exhibition is being held in the West Swindon Library, next to the Link Centre, until Saturday, June 15. Library opening hours apply.

www.swindonphotosoc.co.uk