A LOCAL photographer whose work has been seen and enjoyed by millions has died at the age of 66.

Pete Hartley, from Worsthorne near Burnley, was one of the country’s leading fell running photo-journalists and documented numerous events for more than 30 years for magazines such as The Fell Runner, Athletics Weekly, Today’s Runner and Runner’s World.

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Over the years he travelled extensively to follow his chosen sport and in later life was appointed as the official photographer to the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA).

The picture that was seen by millions was shown at the Millennium Dome exhibition in the section that dealt with national identity.

It showed Andy Beaty from Cumberland Fell Runners competing in the 1996 Ben Nevis Race and was chosen after the race director wrote to the exhibition organisers saying that the Ben Nevis Race embodied a Scottish identity.

Mr Hartley also provided photographs for the Lancashire Telegraph’s athletics page for a number of years.

His early interest in athletics developed from a background of rock-climbing, pot-holing and fell walking and he joined Rossendale Harriers where he developed a liking for endurance events, competing at an extremely high level.

In his daily life, Mr Hartley was a maths teacher at Moorhead High School in Accrington, having previously taught at Billinge School in Blackburn.

Since leaving the profession, he went travelling, embarking on a cycling trip across India.

After a lengthy illness, Mr Hartley died peacefully in hospital on Saturday with his partner Denise Park and his loving family at his side.

The son of Freda and the late Bob, he leaves daughter Claire, son Michael, grandson Benjamin and Denise’s sons Robert and Richard.

His funeral service will take place at St John’s Church, Worsthorne on Monday, November 24 at 2pm, followed by cremation at Burnley Crematorium at 3.40pm.

Family flowers only are requested but with donations welcome on behalf of Pendleside Hospice, Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue and Salcombe RNLI via www.champfunerals.com/obituaries.