On the 10th anniversary of her death, Sir Paul stages exhibition of Linda's photographs

Clad in a dressing gown, a father looks dotingly on as his two youngsters frolic in a field.

But this is no ordinary family portrait - and no ordinary family.

For the father and children caught off-guard in a private moment are Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella and son James - while the photographer was his much-loved first wife Linda.

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The picture is one of a series collated by Sir Paul for an exhibition of his late wife's work.

Astonishingly, the former Beatle began working on the collection - which features photos rarely seen in public - while still married to his estranged second wife, Heather Mills.

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Most are black and white shots of stars snapped seemingly unaware of the photographer and range from John Lennon and Sir Mick Jagger to Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin.

They reflect Linda's work as a rock music photographer before her death from cancer a decade ago.

But it is the 26-year-old snap of her own family on holiday in Scotland which is the showpiece of the exhibition.

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A bleary-eyed Sir Paul, wearing only a dressing gown and slippers, balances precariously on a fence and gazes affectionately at his children as they play in the grass.

A crouched Stella, then aged ten, huddles at the forefront of the picture, staring intently at something she has found.

A four-year-old James meanwhile leaps across a ditch in his pyjamas, his arms and legs akimbo and a huge grin on his face.

The exhibition is set to incense Miss Mills, 39, who had to contend with being the second love of her husband's life during their marriage.

Sir Paul began collating Linda's pictures together with his daughter Mary three years ago, before he and Miss Mills announced their separation in May 2006.

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He said on Tuesday: "An exhibition presenting the range of Linda's photographic work is long overdue so I am obviously pleased this show is happening.

"The result is a sensitive selection of works which really demonstrate her prodigious output as a photographer.

"They not only illustrate her incredible talent as an artist but as someone who was very much connected to the culture of the times and was not afraid of challenging herself or her subject."

Limited editions of the platinum printed photos, which will be displayed in the James Hyman gallery in London from April 24, will be sold together with certificates signed by Sir Paul.

The ex-Beatle is in the throes of an acrimonious divorce battle.

A friend said: "Paul has not stopped missing Linda since the day she died.

"Heather has never been able to shake off Linda's shadow and this latest move is bound to make her feel more alienated.

"Everyone knows Linda was the love of Paul's life."