A KEEN Westhoughton photographer had a brush with royalty when he captured three queens on camera over the bank holiday.

Phil Wood was one of thousands of people who lined the banks of the River Mersey in Liverpool to welcome Cunards’ Three Queens – the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary Two.

The three ocean cruise liners staged a ‘water ballet’ – performing manoeuvres including 180-degree turns on the river – to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the famous shipping line.

The crowds also watched a fly-past by the Red Arrows during the historic Three Queens visit, which was staged as part of the Mersey River Festival.

Mr Wood, of Broomway, Westhoughton, is secretary of Bolton Digital Photographic Society.

He said: “I managed to find an excellent position to see the event directly opposite the Liver Building, which gave fantastic views as the three ships turned into the River Mersey and then lined up for the crowds.

“There were hundreds of thousands of people on both banks, right up the river to Crosby.

“The highlight at the end was the fly-past by the Red Arrows.”

For more information about Bolton Digital Photographic Society go to boltondigital.org or email secretary@boltondigital.org