Less camera, more Camra

The former portrait photographer to HM the Queen, beer-loving Mark Lawrence, has put his mind to capturing the spirit of another great British tradition - brewing.

And with the launch of Wagtail Brewery in Norfolk he plans to produce some right regal ale.

Many top celebrities - including Shirley Bassey, Clint Eastwood and Richard E Grant - are featured in Mark's prestigious picture portfolio. But the real pinnacle of his time behind the lens, he says, was snapping HRH several times at Buckingham Palace.

"After that, there was nowhere else to go. Then I thought: 'I like beer and I should brew it'."

Since the launch in December he has produced traditional bottle-conditioned beers from a half-barrel-brew-length plant in his converted barn - the residence of wagtails - at Wilby Warrens, near Old Buckenham in Norfolk.

First out was Best Bitter (4%), a standard bitter made with challenger and goldings hops, followed by English Ale (4.2%) - a darker beer with "a bit of chocolate"- and Stout (4.5%), which uses six grains.

With the help of Brendan Moore from Iceni Brewery, Mark is expanding to a five-barrel plant that will allow cask production soon.

Other planned roll-outs include a beer produced to an authentic Irish recipe in time for St Patrick's Day and a summer pale-ale style brew.

Question is: will Mark receive royal patronage again?