Local newspaper veteran Brian Asplin was honoured with a standing ovation by his peers yesterday as 200 journalists gathered for a press awards event.

Cambs Times editor Brian Asplin retires today after 43 years with the paper, working his way up from trainee to being the boss.

Event compere Karen Ainley paid tribute, saying: “Brian joined the Cambs Times as a trainee reporter in March 1964 on £7 a week.

“He worked on the Times and Wisbech Standard newspapers, rising through the ranks of reporter, senior reporter, chief reporter, news editor, assistant editor, deputy editor – and, then, his final title, editor.

“We understand from your colleagues you have probably trained more journalists than anyone else in the East of England, including a certain Daily Mail columnist, Richard Littlejohn – you certainly have a lot to answer for!”

Olympic swimmer Mark Foster and EDF Energy’s Paul Cuttill present Brian (centre) with his award

In honour of his work for the media in the East of England, the media awards’ sponsors EDF Energy presented a special award for Services to Local Journalism.

News editor John Elworthy, who won the East of England Weekly Print Journalist of the Year award yesterday, has been appointed editor and begins his new role on Monday.