A LEADING light in the photographic industry enthralled students so much, he talked for an hour longer than planned.

About 250 sixthformers from schools in Nailsea and Bristol, as well as Backwell, crammed into the school’s new lecture theatre to hear internationally acclaimed photographer Tom Hunter, organised by the school’s youth arts organisation Boomsatsuma and the Royal Photographic Society.

Backwell School’s head of creative media and Boomsatsuma founder Mark Curtis said: “The audience was inspired and captivated, prompting the talk, which was initially programmed for 40 minutes, to be extended to an hour and 40 minutes.

“Tom Hunter is famous for his passionate support for the community of Hackney in London and being not only the first photographer to have a solo exhibition in the national gallery, but also for being publicly supported by Charles Saatchi, the V&A and the National Portrait Gallery.”

Head teacher Julian Baldwin said: “I had to arrange the additional time and access for students as the lecture developed and we realised what an incredible opportunity this was for our young people.”

The visit was to promote a photographic archive of Bristol called City Perspectives being created by Boomsatsuma, which will culminate in a touring exhibition and online collection.