Two former regional press photographers have set up a new business venture in a picturesque corner of southern Italy.

Steve and Sarah Barney are now using their press experience to run photo-holiday company 'CAPTURE la vista', in Puglia.

The couple, both from the Midlands, have a total of 36 years' experience working for newspapers including the Shropshire Star, Northants Evening Telegraph, Market Harborough Mail and the Walsall Advertiser.

But 12 months ago the couple took the bold decision to leave their Wolverhampton home and start a new life in the Mediterranean town.

Steve told holdthefrontpage: "It was the pressure of work - we weren't seeing each other and we couldn't get any time together.

"I had been thinking about it for a while as we'd come over here for visits and also got married here.

"Some friends had asked us if we would mind looking after their property (in Italy) and that gave us the impetus to really look for a property for us."

Steve and Sarah in the garden of their new home in Italy

Steve, who turns 50 this year, and 33-year-old Sarah left their respective jobs at the Express and Star and Worcester News to begin renovating their house in Puglia last year.

The pair will start taking bookings for photography workshops and short breaks next month as well as accommodating B&B guests in their new home.

Under the couple's tutelage, inexperienced photographers can enjoy snapping the historic town, monuments and the surrounding area as well as sample some local food and vino.

Steve added: "We have been doing a little bit of work such as weddings and commercial work.

"Our Italian is better than it was. Nearly all our friends are Italian so if we go out we have to speak it but we're mainly aiming holidays at Brits and Americans.

"We live here now – we go back three or four times a year to Britain but we are looking to build a new life here."

For more information about the holidays visit the CAPTURE la vista website.

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