ONE of Glasgow's most famous sons opened his first major exhibition in his home city today with the words: "I wish this had happened when I was 17."

Looking up with pride at the enormous banner emblazoned across Kelvingrove Art Gallery, award-winning photographer Harry Benson spoke of his joy at bringing his work to the landmark attraction.

Harry Benson - A Photographer's Journey traces his 60-year career, from touching portraits of celebrities and US presidents to nostalgic snaps of Gorbals kids.

At the show, John Greig and Billy McNeil sit alongside Jackie Kennedy.

The Manhattan-based photographer, 78, has captured world leaders and pop legends including the Beatles, but one of his most memorable snaps was of two kids sitting on the steps of a Gorbals tenement .

The youngsters are on the front of his latest book Harry Benson's Glasgow, which features many of the pictures from the exhibition.

He said: "It's nice to get recognition in your home city. I just wish it had happened when I was younger and not an old man.

"I'm a son of Glasgow. The city hasn't changed to me at all. It's become softer but that's it.

"I would love to get in contact with those children. I remember the day well. They were just sitting on the step.

I didn't move them - you can't move children.They must be in their 40s now."

Harry worked for a number of Glasgow newspapers as a young photographer but revealed he had been turned down for a job at the Evening Times when he was 17.

The Knightswood-born snapper laughed: "They told me my pictures weren't good enough. They probably weren't."

The free exhibition, which is running until September 14, includes pictures from Harry's personal archive that haven't been shown to the public before.

If you know who the girls in the photograph are let us know. Call 0141 3026520 or email news@eveningtimes.co.uk.