A MEMORIAL bench has been unveiled in honour of an award-winning photographer.

The bench, in memory of Alec Russell, has been put at York racecourse, his favourite course, and was unveiled by Alec’s widow, Shirley and Lord Grimthorpe.

Alec, who was also a racing columnist with the Gazette & Herald, died earlier this year, aged 85.

Based in Norton, he initially enjoyed photography as a hobby, but after doing some work for local theatres, he branched out into racing and made it a full-time career for more than 65

years.

His first piece, in what was The Yorkshire Herald - now the Gazette & Herald - was a write-up about the history of the St Leger in 1952.

In 1998, Alec received the Photographer of the Year award at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Derby Awards.

At the same awards, in 2008, he was awarded The George Ennor Trophy - a lifetime achievement award - shared with Ed Byrne and Gerry Cranham.

He took over the racing column in the Gazette & Herald, which he wrote until his death, after his friend Tom O’Ryan died.

His daughter Jo Russell said: “Dad thought Frankel was the best horse he had seen, so it was most appropriate that Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdulla, Frankel’s owner should unveil the bench in dad’s memory. There is no better place for the bench than his beloved York.”

Lord Grimthorpe said: “Alec was a much-loved man and he brought racing to life. More accurately to colour and monochrome.

“He loved York, the exhibition he had here showed that, and he was beloved of many. We are so chuffed to have this here, he was a truly special man.”