A newspaper photographer who was forced to give up work as a result of multiple sclerosis has died from the condition aged 42.

Constantine Tofalos – known as Deno – began his career as a graphic designer but switched to photography 12 years ago.

Initially a freelance, he later joined the staff of his hometown paper, the Bolton News, before working for the Manchester Evening News from 2005-08.

But he was later forced to give up work and after a two-year stay in a Cheshire care home eventually succumbed to the progressive neurological condition at Warrington Hospital.

His dad Chris, a photographer with the Lancashire Magazine, said Deno showed exceptional artistic abilities from an early age but didn’t try using a camera until he was in his teens.

“When he did, it was immediately apparent that he had a natural talent for photography – he had ‘the eye’,” he said.

Deno, pictured above, was initially diagnosed with MS in 2002, but he carried on working and despite his disabilities, succeeded in gaining a degree in photography at the University of Bolton in 2008.

Chris added:  “Friends and family visited Deno regularly and we will always remember the smile he gave us when we walked in the room. He was a remarkable person and he really will be missed.”