Mervyn Dane, a former editor of The Impartial Reporter, has received an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.

The 74-year-old, who retired in 1994 after almost 50 years at the newspaper, received the award for his services to journalism.

Mervyn joined The Impartial Reporter in 1945, and edited the paper for the last 15 years of his career.

His daughter, Lily, is now a reporter there.

He said: “It is a great honour to receive the award and a great tribute to the paper.

“I owe a lot to the Trimble family (owners of the newspaper) and to former editor James Baker who gave me a lot of guidance and helped me develop my career.”

Also receiving an MBE, for his services to charity, was Alan Philips, a former community correspondent for the Jersey Evening Post.

The 70-year-old, who is currently the fundraising officer for Family Nursing and Home Care, said he was “overwhelmed” to receive the honour.

And Philip Graf, the former chief executive of Trinity Mirror, received a CBE for services to regional newspapers.

He began his career at the Belfast Telegraph and went on to become chief executive of the Trinity Mirror Group before standing down earlier this year.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]