A dad-of-two has revealed a series of pictures from his hobby of photographing old, abandoned buildings from across Europe.

Nick Whitworth, 40, from Honeysuckle Court, Huncoat, took up the pastime – known as Urban Exploration – more than three years ago.

He has since travelled all over Lancashire, the UK and Europe in search of neglected treasures ranging from the interiors of family homes, often neglected due to family disputes over their ownership, to former asylums.

The IT salesman said: “I came across what looked like an old army barracks.

“I am very nosey so I went online and found out it was a disused power station and it all started from there.

“I borrowed my wife Marie’s camera and went and took photos of it, then I found people online who do this all the time for a hobby and contacted them.”

After first going out alone, Nick now teams up with up to four others several times a year to photograph buildings that interest them.

Getting into the buildings is not always easy, however.

Nick said: “We never break in anywhere, that would be illegal.

“I did have to shin up a drainpipe and climb through a first storey window once though to get into an old seminary.

“And in another place in France there were loads of shotgun shells on the floor.

“It’s worth it though. There is some beautiful architecture in these places.”

Nick said he cannot reveal the exact names and locations of the buildings in case they attract metal thieves or vandals.

He added: “I love the old chateaux and hospitals especially, but one of my favourite places was an asylum in Lancashire which they have now demolished and are building houses on.

“We looked at the cells and there were wonderful corridors and original cast iron work.

“You imagine what these places were like in Victorian days and there’s an element of excitement and of sadness at the same time.

“A few chateaux I’ve visited have been absolutely decrepit with no ceilings but the furniture, artwork and musical instruments left behind were just stunning.”

Nick is planning to set up a website and although he would love to pursue his photography as a career, it will remain a hobby for now.

He said: “If the site just pays for my trips abroad I’ll be happy.”