A HANDFORTH photographer to the stars enjoyed a dream assignment - as an official snapper at a Manchester rock concert.

Karin Albinsson obtained 'access all areas' to the stars of the show, which included icons such as Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller.

The mum-of-two spent two days snapping the rehearsals, sound checks, the concert and the after-show party.

She was invited to record the event for the second year running by former-Smiths member Andy Rourke, the show's organiser.

He arranged the event with friends from the Manchester indie and rock scene to raise funds for the Christie Hospital.

Karin said: "It was a fantastic atmosphere. I was very thankful that they asked me to do it because it was just a great experience to be involved in."

Karin moved from her native Sweden in 1980 and studied photography at Manchester University, graduating in 1994.

Specialising in portrait and documentary, she photographed ten well known 'Mancs' for a project in 1998.

Through this exhibition she got to know Mani, a former Stone Roses bass guitarist, now with Primal Scream, who put her in touch with the organisers Andy Rourke and Nova Reahman.

"Those early pictures were used to publicise the event and I had the great pleasure to be back at the arena for a second time to meet stars like Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Tim Burgess and Paul Weller.

"It's a great cause. We have all been affected by cancer, and this is one of the reasons all these musicians were there on the day, wanting to help in raising cancer awareness."

Now a freelance photographer, Karin has snapped some of rock and pop's top brass over the years.

But even she was dazzled when she got the chance to photograph her life long hero, David Bowie at Manchester Academy in 1998.

She recalled: "It was amazing. I was really star-struck when taking a lot of shots of him. And with it being such a small event, I was only a few meters away from him.

"That is about the biggest thing I have ever done. But it doesn't matter who you photograph, famous or not, and most of the stars are really nice and easy to get on with."