Ashes to ashes

Youngsters play cricket in Rothwell St. Mumps Oldham.

FORMER Chronicle photographer Dennis Hussey — the man behind the lens on the iconic 1963 picture of backstreet kids playing cricket in Mumps — has died, aged 79.

Mr Hussey, from Delph, worked for the newspaper between 1960 and ’64. He then moved to the Daily Mirror, where he stayed until his retirement in 2001.

He took many standout images during his career, including the well-known photo of young cricketers in what was the old Rothwell Street. The picture became famous and was used in magazines worldwide and even to advertise the Ashes cricket series between England and Australia.

Mr Hussey originally worked as an architect in Oldham until joining the Air Force in 1954, stationed in Germany.

When he returned in 1957 he joined the Oldham Press Agency before moving to the Chronicle three years later.

Mr Hussey married Sylvia and the couple had two children, Andrew and Mark.

His funeral takes place at Oldham Crematorium, Hollinwood, at 3pm on Friday.