IMAGES taken by former News Group snapper Phil Loach are to feature in this year's Reclaim Photography Festival.

Striking snaps capturing landscapes, events and the daily life of people in the Black Country from the 1970s to the 1990s by Dudley-born former newspaper photographer Phil can be seen in an exhibition entitled Windows into Industrial Worlds which forms part of the international photography festival.

The exhibition, comprising 50 prints by five regional photographers, is set to run at Himley Hall for two months from Saturday April 6.

Capturing the people, places and industries of the Black Country - the exhibition also features images by Ken Harrison and Peter Hodgson, recording the heritage of public historical landmarks and people working along the waterways, plus pictures documenting forges and foundries by Bradley Pearce and Andrew Crawford.

Festival spokesman Maxine Watts said: “We are honoured to host this important exhibition, as part of our international festival, because it not only captures our local heritage for posterity, but the role we play in recording the ongoing rejuvenation and redevelopment of our region.”

The concept of Reclaim began in Sweden in 2011 through a group of photographers who wanted to inspire people and take art photography back to the streets and public spaces.

Now in its fourth year - the festival aims to showcase the best in art photography through an annual programme of events and exhibitions in collaboration with photographers, partners, children, young people in the West Midlands and internationally.

Maxine added: "It is with thanks to the generosity of all of the photographers involved, who have offered their work for festival submission, and to our festival partners, sponsors and supporters that we are able to stage these displays and exhibitions for the viewing public."

The Windows into Industrial Worlds exhibition at Himley Hall runs until June 30. Viewing is Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm.