TRAVELLING across the globe to film major sporting events is the ultimate dream for most cameramen.

With the Olympics, World Cup and Euros under his belt, Ulverston's very own John McKeown can say he's conquered that and some.

The 54-year-old has been working as a cameraman for the past 26 years, bringing sporting events from across the world to our television screens.

Most recently, the dad-of-two travelled to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, filming a number of matches for the 2020 European Cup.

Mr McKeown described the experience as a 'privilege', even after nearly three decades in the business.

"I take it in my stride more now," he said.

"But it is lovely to see fans in the stands after a year of lockdown.

"I filmed North Macedonia versus Ukraine and all the Ukraine fans were in vibrant, colourful attire which always looks great on camera.

"Often as a cameraman you tend not to be in the immediate atmosphere but you can always feel the buzz of the crowds."

Mr McKeown credits filming the opening ceremony at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang as a career highlight.

"That was really a career highlight for me," he said.

"And then I got to film the World Cup after too to top off the year. When you're filming these events, it's very tightly scripted and not always easy - we were filming in minus 39 degrees one day.

"It is such a privilege. The people you meet are so down to earth and take it in their stride."

Mr McKeown has just withdrawn from filming the next Olympics in Tokyo to focus on his new gin business, Wolftown based in Market Square, Ulverston.

He said: "I really want to focus on opening it up in the summer for people to come in and have a drink. We only launched three months before lockdown so I'd like to really focus my attention on Wolftown."