A TEENAGE photographer has become the youngest person to exhibit his work at a landmark gallery - and hopes to showcase young people in a positive light.

Sam Kenyon, 15, from Clayton-le-Moors, won funding for his first professional camera and began photographing youth club activities.

Now, the St Christopher’s High School pupil has launched a solo exhibition at the Haworth Art Gall-ery, in Accrington, to show teenage culture and achievements.

Sam’s pictures capture local teenagers as they gain proficiency in skate boarding and free running, as part of projects for local youth scheme Blaze.

With the support of Blaze, Sam applied to the O2 Think Big fund and was awarded £300 to buy a camera, and develop his photography skills.

He spent several months capturing a range of act-ivities before curators at the Haworth Art Gallery spotted his skill with the camera.

Sam said: “I was shocked that I got the money. I couldn’t believe it was just a case of filling in a form online and they have trusted me to get on with it.

“It was really important to me that I captured scenes of young people doing positive, creative things.

“Teenagers get a very bad press and are distrusted sometimes. I think it’s important to show there is another side to that.

“Getting my own exhibition at the Haworth is amazing, and my family are really proud.”

Yvonne Robins from the Manchester Road gallery, said: “We are thrilled to host Sam’s first exhibition. As a solo exhibitor, he is the youngest we’ve had.

“One of our main priorities is to involve young people in the gallery, and we were very pleased when Sam got in touch with us.

“Sam’s photography is full of movement and zest for life and, to reflect this, we broke away from the traditional method of precise hanging of artworks and incorporated a flowing rhythm in the display.

“We would be very happy to hear from any other teenagers who would like to exhibit here.”

Contact Yvonne on 01254 233782 if you would like to get involved with the gallery.

Sam’s exhibition is upstairs at the gallery until Wednesday, July 24.