DR Chris Ley will be swapping his surgery for a studio when he takes on the new challenge of becoming a professional photographer. Having had a keen interest in photography for many years, it was only when he was asked to be the official photographer at a

DR Chris Ley will be swapping his surgery for a studio when he takes on the new challenge of becoming a professional photographer.

Having had a keen interest in photography for many years, it was only when he was asked to be the official photographer at a wedding last year that the March GP realised it could be part of the bigger picture.

But after 12 years at March's Riverside Surgery he will not be giving up totally on medicine. He hopes to do locum or out-of-hours work and some teaching.

Dr Ley is excited by the change in his life, which he intended to happen when he was 55 but has brought it forward five years.

He said: "My mum died and something like that makes you rethink things. For a long time I didn't know what I was going to do but when I took the pictures at the wedding I think it was the trigger because I realised that I really enjoyed doing it."

He has the full support of his wife, Heather, who is equally excited about the project. Reaction from friends, colleagues and patients has also been positive.

He said: "Most people think it is a very brave thing to do and I think my colleagues are slightly envious. The patients have been pleased and interested to hear about my plans."

He will leave the surgery at the end of this month but thinks it will be the summer before his business is up and running. He will be specialising in portrait and wedding photography, taking some photographs at his own home in Regent Avenue, or will visit a client's home or may think about hiring a studio.

His ambition is to become a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.