PHOTOGRAPHER Robert Peel loves Malmesbury so much that he has taken thousands of pictures of the town – usually without straying more than 300 metres from his house.

His evocative images have graced the front pages of national newspapers and his work has been lauded on air by one of his greatest admirers, Radio 2 breakfast presenter Chris Evans.

Now the amateur lensman is exhibiting 50 of his works at Malmesbury Town Hall’s art gallery where Christmas cards and photographs of the town he loves so much can be bought.

Mr Peel, 55, who squeezes his photography in between his day job as a marketing consultant, is especially keen on snapping Malmesbury at dusk and dawn.

That means, during the summer, capturing images of his favourite local spots – often showing the abbey and the river as the sun begins to rise – as early as 4.40am.

“People say ‘you keep taking the same photo’ – but it’s all about the weather conditions and the way the sky changes,” said Mr Peel.

“The light constantly changes, as does the weather. I was out when the sun rose this morning; it was very frosty with a nice light. It was beautiful. Those misty fields are really lovely.”

Mr Peel, a Malmesbury resident for 24 years, was first given a camera when he was 14 and hasn’t stopped snapping since.

He has been focusing on Malmesbury views for the past four years, constantly striving to capture the historic town during the changing seasons.

As well as being used by the Gazette & Herald, his striking shots have graced the front pages of The Times, The Telegraph and The Guardian which is how they came to the attention of Chris Evans.

“He reviews the papers on his show and has spoken highly of the photographs,” said Mr Peel.

The current exhibition, which runs until next Thursday, coincides with today’s vote on whether Malmesbury’s neighbourhood plan should be adopted.

Mr Peel is so keen for people to show their support that he is offering voters a 20 per cent discount. The Town Hall polling station and art gallery are open from 7am to 10pm.