WHERE others see decay and desolation, Chris Thorp sees his next subject.

The Urmston born photographer is currently staging his first exhibition in Manchester and says he feels drawn to places and objects that have seen better days.

What's the attraction of dereliction?

"It's that whole process, that nature takes it all back eventually. For instance, the gravestone is actually turning back to the dust from which the stone started. By profession I'm a graphic designer and I see things in a quirky way," he says.

At first glance, some of the exhibits look like paintings but the images on display are simply the product of a digital camera.

They have been downloaded on to a computer, printed and framed. Visitors to The Deep End will be struck by how bright the colours are, but Chris insists the pictures haven't been enhanced on screen.

Chris is staging the exhibition at the prestigious Portico Library and Gallery and he's thrilled to be showing his work in his home city.

"I've always said I'm fiercely proud of my Manchester roots and coming to this venue is a great opportunity," he says.

A former pupil of Urmston Grammar School, Chris started snapping seriously when he was working at a youth hostel in the Lake District, prior to going to art college. The hostel was near a former mine littered with rusting relics of its heyday, ideal subject matter for Chris and his instamatic camera. He's since settled in Cumbria where he runs his own graphic design business. Rick Bowen

l The Deep End is at the Portico Library and Gallery, 57, Mosley Street, Manchester, until August 29. Admission is free and anyone interested in finding out more should call 236 6785.