A 78-year-old columnist who continues to write for a regional daily despite being diagnosed with cancer last year has been given an award by his own newspaper.

John Abberley, who writes for Stoke’s The Sentinel, was presented with the Editor’s Special Award at the newspaper’s annual Our Heroes event.

He has spent more than 60 years in journalism after first starting work for the title at the age of 17 as a cub reporter.

John was given a standing ovation at the awards ceremony last week when he was presented with the award by Mike Sassi, editor-in-chief of Staffordshire Sentinel News and Media, pictured below.

Mike said: “John is a fantastic journalist and a fantastic human being.

“He’s a brilliant ambassador for North Staffordshire and an absolute credit to his profession.”

John was diagnosed with cancer last year and has undergone a stringent course of radiotherapy in hospital but has not let that deter him from writing his column – saying being in ‘professional mode’ has helped his health.

After initially working at The Sentinel, he later worked for BBC Radio Stoke and Radio Two before rejoining the newspaper.

Along with his column, John oversees the ‘All Our Yesterdays’ section of the paper.

He said: “I started when I was about 10, writing Stoke City reports and my friends would all come around and read them.

“I have had so much variety in my life and feel privileged to have met the people I have.”

The Sentinel has run the awards, which are sponsored by Britannia building society, for the last five years to recognise inspiring local people.