Photographing the royal family, a former Prime Minister and The Rolling Stones has been all part of the job for David Wiltshire who is celebrating 40 years in Warminster this week.

The 64-year-old started his business at a studio in the High Street next to the Athenaeum in 1971.

Back then he was a one-man band but the Crockerton man now employs five members of staff in his shop in George Street, where the company moved in 1977.

Mr Wiltshire, who trained in Oxford and used to be photographer at the university, has taken photographs of the great and the good during his career.

“I was a member of the National Union of Journalists when I first came to Warminster. I used to do work for the Western Gazette, Somerset Standard and the Wiltshire Times. It was a great way to get to know people.

“I’ve photographed most of the royal family over the years, including the Queen, and a private function with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The latest royal event, in November, was a reception hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.

“I’ve also photographed Margaret Thatcher several times. She used to love having her photograph taken. I remember photographing the Rolling Stones at the Magdalen College ball in Oxford.

“They had just come back from America and were getting well known. I even breakfasted with them the next morning after their performance.”

Mr Wiltshire, who opened the studio when he was 24, admitted he didn’t believe the business would still be going strong in 2011.

“I think we’re one of the oldest in Warminster apart from the long-established family businesses in the town,” he said. “When you’re that age you don’t worry too much about the pressure, you just do it.

“In the early days it was all black and white photographs. I think we were one of the first companies to do colour printing.

“Now the latest digital and computerised equipment is used, making the studio one of the very few producing our own work, along with offering design and printing services.”

To mark the anniversary, the firm is offering anyone who has been photographed by them an updated portrait sitting for free. For details, call the shop on 01985 213376.