The Society of Editors awarded its highest honour to two veteran Northern Ireland journalists as it staged its annual dinner in Belfast last night.

Ed Curran, who edited the Belfast Telegraph for 12 years until 2008, was made a Fellow of the Society along with former BBC Northern Ireland news chief Andrew Colman.

The fellowship is awarded to journalists who have made a particular contribution to upholding the aims of the SoE and the cause of freedom of the press.

Receiving his award from incoming SoE president Jonathan Grun, Ed described it as “an incredible honour.”

He said:  “I personally presented fellowships at the conference 11 years ago to two of the greatest names in world journalism – Ben Bradlee and W.F. Deedes.

“So for Andrew Colman and myself that is some incredible company to be in.”

Ed could not resist a quip about the changes in the both the newspaper industry and the city of Belfast since the conference was last held there.

“You used to come here to cover our Troubles.  Now you come here to discuss your own troubles,” he said.