A selection of photographs taken by former Gloucestershire Echo lensman Anthony Devlin during his scholarship at Lord's are to go on display at the famous cricket ground.

The 25-year-old beat applications from around the world to become Marylebone Cricket Club Young Cricket Photographer 2004, and enjoyed a varied season covering the team both home and away.

As well as following the club around the country and enjoying unique behind-the-scenes access, he also joined them on their tour of Gibraltar, and now some of his best and most varied work produced during the season is to feature in an exhibition at the Lord's Taverna, opening tomorrow.

Anthony said: "The scholarship has been really good, I've had a great time.

"The tour of Gibraltar at the end of the season was good fun and I got to socialise with the team.

"Before I started I hadn't covered any cricket and didn't know much about it, but Graham Morris from The Times was my mentor and all the photographers were really helpful.

"It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity."

The scholarship also saw Anthony receive around £5,000 in fees and expenses, allowing him to invest in his own photographic equipment and do freelance work when not at Lord's - resulting in a new job.

Anthony has been taken on by Bristol-based agency South West News, and his photographs regularly appear in the national press.

He said: "I'd done some freelance work for them while I was at Lord's and before I went to Gibraltar the picture editor asked me if I'd be interested in joining them full-time.

"The scholarship is geared up for young people at the start of their career and is an ideal opportunity."

Anthony began his career at the Tameside Reporter, and after studying for his NCTJ in press photography he joined the Gloucestershire Echo in 2003.

The closing date for applications for this year's scholarship is February 11. For more information visit www.lords.org

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