FOR many Maxonians, photographer Gerry Henshall IS the Macclesfield Express.

Over a staggering 51 years, the ever-chirpy chief snapper has charmed the town and captured a staggering number of pictures.

As he says goodbye as a full-time staff member – albeit with a reminder he is set to work as a freelance – five decades’ worth of well-wishers have been sending messages thick and fast.

MP Sir Nicholas Winterton said: "For Gerry to leave the Express is a very sad day. He’s become an institution over the years and he must know more about the area than practically anyone else.

"He was always courteous, always good fun, always had a joke to tell and the occasions when he didn’t turn up were noticeable. He has been at the heart of the Macclesfield scene – as I hope he will be for years to come."

Editor Dave Lafferty said: "Gerry has been a wonderful asset to this paper and to the town. Over the past 51 years, he has documented every major event in the town and thousands have been touched by his work. He will be sadly missed and I am certain his record of 51 years on the Macclesfield Express will never be surpassed."

As the paper’s chief photographer, the dad of three has racked up pictures of 47 Mayor Makings, seven members of the Royal Family, hundreds of village fetes, countless community groups and four murder investigations – to name a few since he began work in 1958.

He grew up on Pitt Street, Macclesfield, and bought his first camera, a Zeis Ikonta, as a pupil at Henbury High, and then met Wendy, his wife of 41 years, when she worked as an advertising manager.

Aged 15, he beat off competition to get a job on the then County Express, and cites the notorious Billy Hughes prison-escapee Rainow hostage story in 1977 as his most memorable job.

Despite photographing the Beatles, the Royal Family and the legendary Jimmy Savile, Gerry still prefers to snap away at Macclesfield village fetes.

He said: "The pictures I have always enjoyed are the fetes, even if they happen every year with the same people, they are never the same pictures."

In that spirit, if you need anything photographing – a wedding or family event – then contact Gerry at gerry@gerryhenshall.com , or by phone on 01625 425690 or 07785 512493.

He comes with great references!