A COLLECTION of albums which belonged to a York photographer have been handed to York's civic party.

Tony Neal was well known to Lord Mayors and Sheriffs of York, and took photographs of many in recent years, and - as a member, and Past Master of the York Guild of Building - would present a set of photo albums to each civic party at the end of their year on behalf of the Guild.

Mr Neal died suddenly in February, and his funeral at All Saints Church in Pavement was attended by ten former Lord Mayors.

Reverend Dave Hobman, clerk of the Company of Cordwainers of York, said one of Mr Neal's last requests was that as his fellow Guild photographer he should take photos of the Lord Mayor and Sheriff at the Valentine's Day fundraising dinner dance.

He did, and presented photos to the civic party this weekend, after completing the rest of the album in Mr Neal's memory.

Rev Hobman said: "With the cooperation of Tony’s daughters Caroline and Julie the necessary photographs were found in his immense archive, these were complimented by those taken by me for the last couple of months of the Mayoral year."

Caroline said: "Dad would be so proud that his passion for photography has been enjoyed by the civic party and the Guilds of York over the years. He saw it as being a great honour to be allowed to be part of their life."

Julie said: "Dad wasn’t Tony without having a camera to use."

The albums were presented in the Guild Hall yard on Saturday, with Mr Neal's sister Carol, niece Ruth and brother in law Ken travelling from Durham to see the handover. Both albums have a picture of Mr Neal on the inside, along with a dedication to him.

Rev Hobman said Mr Neal's daughter is speaking to York Explore Archives about taking his vast collection of photographs, letters and other civic, guild and York memorabilia.