A long-standing weekly sports editor has hung up his notepad after 30 years in the role.

Mick Cork has worked on the sports pages of the Folkestone Herald, Dover Express and the free Adscene since 1980, having previously worked as an advertising rep for six years.

He was the longest-serving member of staff at the Herald but has now retired at the age of 65, giving up his legendary Touchliner column.

Mick, known as Corky, was presented with a bottle of champagne, a West Bromwich Albion “Corky 1″ football shirt, sports books and a mocked-up back page of a paper celebrating his career.

He said: “It’s been a fantastic 30 years here, although some of it has been a slog.

“I’m going to take some time off but will still be around in the area, I’m not going anywhere.”

The Folkestone Invicta FC fan was praised for the commitment he showed the club over the years, reporting from the terraces with other supporters, rather than from the press box.

Editor Simon Finlay said: “Mick has shown great dedication and loyalty to this paper over the years and it has been an honour and a privilege to have worked with him and to consider him a friend.

“Not many sports editors have had a song written about them and sung in tribute by the fans. We wish you a long, happy and, most importantly, healthy retirement.”