THE brief, to snap former US president Bill Clinton with local people, should have been straightforward.

But for Prestwich freelance photographer Lawrence Purcell the odds were stacked against him in the form of traffic jams, terrible weather and US secret service agents!

Security surrounding the Jewish National Fund's centenary dinner, at Tatton Park in Cheshire, was extremely tight and had been increased further following an incident at a similar event in Glasgow the night before.

Clinton was guest speaker at the glittering fund-raiser on Tuesday evening, and was running almost an hour late.

Lawrence said: "I nearly didn't go at all. I had to travel through rush-hour traffic and there was freezing fog. I didn't expect to take many photographs but ended up taking five rolls of film!"

On arrival at the park, Lawrence and his car were searched by police three times before he could even enter the venue.

He said: "The security was very, very strict. There were the US Secret Service there, the British Special Branch and Cheshire Constabulary, as well as an armed unit.

"It was like something you see on television and there was even a guy in a trench mac with ear piece!"

Once inside, Lawrence was told to wait with other members of the Press in a side room but he soon grew impatient.

He said: "After about 20 minutes I could feel the chances of getting the photographs I wanted getting lower and lower. So I decided to take a chance and go in to the dining room.

"Luckily for me, but to the shock of his security guards, Clinton decided to go walkabout with the guests and I got some good shots."