THE family of former Evening Times photographer Brian Logue has paid tribute to a man who loved life and loved his job.

He passed away at the age of 64 on Boxing Day after a battle with prostate cancer.

Throughout his career he captured some of the most important events of a generation, picturing famous faces and historic events in and around Glasgow.

Born in Coatbridge, the son of Winnie and John Logue, Brian secured his first job at the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser.

He worked as a freelance photographer for several titles, spending more than 20 years working for the Evening Times up until 2000.

Most recently he was working for the Rutherglen Reformer, where he did his last shift on Christmas Eve.

The following day he was admitted to hospital, passing away at 5.30am, surrounded by his loving family.

Described as a smart man, who loved singing, walking, and everything Italian, he doted on his family.

A dad-of-three and grandfather to six, all aged under eight, Brian, who lived in Burnside, was well known for telling stories about his career.

Daughter Julie Smith, 35, said: "There was no one happier than my dad. He had a lust for life and his love for his family -that is my biggest memory of my dad."

During his time at the Evening Times he photographed celebrities and events that would go down in history, including Nelson Mandela's visit to the city in 1993, actor and comedian Rikki Fulton, gangster Arthur Thompson and the building of Buchanan Galleries.

"He met a lot of famous people," said Julie. "Prince Charles was doing a hill walk for charity and and my dad was running late so he tried to take a short cut up the side of the hill and he tripped and got a cut on his cheek.

"He met Prince Charles coming down the hill and he had a conversation with him. It was just when William had been born and he said 'How's the baby, sir?' and he replied 'Very well thank you'.

"I know that he met Sean Connery, and Kirk Douglas, and the Pope. He just loved what he did.

"He was working right up until Christmas Eve. He loved his job, the team of guys he worked with at the Rutherglen Reformer and working in the local area."

Brian was highly thought of among his colleagues and many have paid tribute to a talented professional and a lovely man.

Former Evening Times picture editor John Young met Brian around 1985. John said: "For a number of years Brian worked mainly for the Evening Times although he would occasionally do jobs for our sister paper The Herald.

"He always worked as a freelance photographer and was pretty fearless, going places where other photographers would fear to tread.

"I remember in the early 1990s he worked with the Evening Times investigations team who did a big expose of rogue landlords.

"Their work was brought up in the House of Commons by George Galloway who praised them for turning the spotlight on the evil men who made a fortune from vulnerable people.

"Brian was also passionate about covering celebrities who visited the city and was a huge fan of Muhammad Ali.

"On one occasion he was in Glasgow for a book signing and Brian turned up two hours early so he could be top of the queue to have his book signed."

Brian is survived by wife Annette, 60, daughters Julie and Annette, and son Christopher.