TRIBUTES have been paid to a talented street photographer and much-loved family man who captured the changing face of Bolton for more than 50 years.

Geoff Davies, aged 78, died in his sleep at home in Columbia Road, Halliwell, after suffering from heart failure.

The “kind and loving” father-of-three and grandfather-of-four took more than 40,000 social photographs across Bolton, Manchester, Merseyside and London during his life.

An honorary lifetime member of Bolton Camera Club, Geoff was also involved with Bolton Digital Photographic Society until his death. He was also a keen cyclist and rock climber.

Geoff’s second wife Betty, aged 67, said: “Geoff was a very special person – he had friends all over the place.

“He was the nicest man in the world – so kind and would do anything for anyone. He was very loyal to his friends and family.”

Geoff, who is father to sons Glyn, aged 50, 47-year-old Gareth and Ian, aged 45, would have been married to Betty for 22 years this October.

His first wife, Marjorie, died in a car crash in the early 1990s and several years later Geoff suffered two heart attacks and underwent a heart bypass. He also had Parkinson’s disease for the last seven years of his life.

Betty added: “We managed to enjoy each day together, right up to the very last.”

Born in Cambridge Road in Horwich and an only child, Geoff took his first photograph at the age of 13 using his family box camera and was instantly hooked.

Geoff, who died on February 17, had always liked drawing and painting, studying at art school for one night a week, and it was during his National Service in Cyprus as a 21-year-old when he bought his first 35mm camera.

A work study engineer by trade, Geoff first took an apprenticeship Lostock De Havilland before working at the Victoria Mill in Horwich.

Crowds gathered to attend the official opening of his ‘Moments’ exhibition at the neo:gallery in the Market Place last January – with fascinating scenes of street life in Bolton between 1960 and 1980 on show.

Russell Walters, president of Bolton Digital Photographic Society: “It was not merely the act of taking a photograph that interested Geoff. He was a true artist and was determined to make a thorough study of every aspect of the art.

“Many admire the fact that his pictures told a story, but they did more than that.

“The stories they told were informed by Geoff’s knowledge of art, his love of composition, his intimacy with his own skills and his love of his community.”

A tribute issued by Bolton Camera Club states: “Geoff’s street and candid photography was of the highest standard and much-admired.

“He held successful exhibitions in Yorkshire and Bolton, the latter being opened in January 2014 by ex-Guardian photographer Denis Thorpe who is also an admirer of Geoff’s work.”

Geoff’s funeral and committal was held at Overdale West Chapel on February 27.

To order a copy of his book, Geoff Davies Photographs, go to Blurb.co.uk.