A TOP chef has donated his camera to an “inspirational” 12-year-old who loves photography despite a condition which is making her sight deteriorate.

Tom Bridge, aged 67 of Blackhorse Avenue, Blackrod, saw Elesha Worsley’s story in The Bolton News and decided that she could make better use of his camera than him.

In exchange, the former celebrity chef simply asked for one of the youngster’s drawings to put on his wall.

Mr Bridge had previously used the camera to take pictures of his food for the books and magazines to which he contributes but, since retirement, had not been using it often and was determined to give the professional digital camera to a good cause.

He said: “She’s inspirational, somebody that can take photos like that is incredible and I am really pleased to meet her.

“I’m going to be keeping an eye on her career because she will be great.”

Elesha has suffered from congenital ocular nystagmus since she was born.

She was told by doctors she would not be able to pursue her passion for art and could be blind by aged 12.

She has to make regular visits to hospital for specialists to assess her sight but has always wanted to pursue her passion for art.

After appearing in the paper alongside one of her photos Elesha’s parents received a call from Mr Bridge offering to trade the camera.

Her dad, Andrew Worsley, said: “It’s almost surreal. All of a sudden, this celebrity chef contacted us out of the blue.

“Elesha is overwhelmed with it all but she is really pleased.”

The Sharples Secondary School pupil started drawing at eight years old after asking her parents for an art set for her birthday.

Now she likes to draw pictures of cats and visit her grandparents’ garden to take photographs of the flowers.