A talented photographer who spent his life capturing the beauty of the North East's wildlife had passed away after contracting coronavirus.

​

Grandfather-of-six, Allan Potts, 81, was described by loved ones as a tenacious, passionate, kind and caring man who refused to let adversity rob him of his sense of humour.

​

Allan, from North Tyneside, had battled Parkinson's disease, a progressive condition which gradually robs sufferers of movement, for 12 years, but continued to keep his family laughing, and find new ways to enjoy the wildlife he had always loved.

​

Nature-loving Allan was born on Preston Grange Farm, in North Tyneside, and remained devoted to farming throughout his life, working the land at East Farm in Backworth.

​

A Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, he also travelled the world capturing incredible image of wildlife everywhere from Alaska to the Himalayas, winning dozens of awards for his striking work.

​

But it was the landscapes and creatures of the North East he most loved to photograph, with his images frequently featured in The Journal, as well as North East exhibition and in his book, Natural North.