YARMOUTH yachting photographer and journalist Peter Danby has died, aged 83.

Peter was born in Didsbury, South Manchester, on June 6, 1935.

He was evacuated during the war, and returned to live in Droylsden, later attending Audenshaw Grammar School.

There, he excelled at sports, especially rugby, and his love of sports continued throughout his life.

The Danby family were keen sailors, and taught him to sail from a very young age.

Photography was also an early interest. The young Mr Danby walked to school to save his tram fares so he could buy his first camera.

Competitive sailing was his first love, however, and he began racing in the Firefly class, later changing to the more modern designs of the 505, in which he competed in the first 505 National Championship, and the Olympic Class Finn.

He was one of the last people to be called up for National Service; in the RAF he was posted to Berlin, and took his own boat out with him to compete in various competitions.

After a career in the telecommunications industry, Peter was offered early retirement, jumping at the chance as it gave him the opportunity to combine his two loves, sailing and photography.

He started his own business as a yachting photographer, becoming one of the first digital yachting photographers in the country, specialising mainly in dinghy racing.

He moved from Oxford in 1996 to live in Yarmouth, and found it a good base from which to work and to keep his boats.

Work included extensive travel, covering events in various countries, including two Olympics, and six 18ft Foot Skiff World Championships in Sydney, Australia.

He retired at 73, but continued to enjoy photography, Island wildlife, walking, cycling, and sailing his model yachts at the Ryde Model Yacht Club, serving a stint there as Commodore.

He loved cats, and his search for a kitten in 1998 brought him a wife as well, Helen Danby. He died on June 15 and is survived by both.