A weekly’s longest-serving journalist has retired after almost three decades at the paper.

Features editor Christopher Hansford (pictured) worked at the Bath Chronicle doing everything from writing an antiques column to laying out letters pages, and from producing the entertainment guide to reviewing theatre productions – the latter of which he will continue to do.

Christopher joined the paper 28 years ago from the Hull Daily Mail, where he was political and local government reporter as well as theatre reviewer.

He will continue producing theatre reviews for the paper as a freelance contributor.

Said Christopher:  “I was sitting at my desk in Hull on a particularly horrible day and decided to ring the paper in Bath, where I had just had a particularly good weekend away, and ask if they had a job.

“They had and I got it, which you did 30 years ago.

“I have never regretted moving to the most beautiful city in England and meeting such a wide range of lovely and interesting people.

“If there is a better job than writing about entertainment in Bath for the Chronicle, I have yet to hear of it. Thank you to all those who have helped to make the years so special.”

The production of the Chronicle’s entertainment pages will now be done by his colleague Dan Biggane.

Editor Lynne Fernquest said she was “delighted” that he would be staying on as a contributor.

“Christopher has been a joy to work with and has not lost any of his energy and enthusiasm for the job. Journalists are often accused of being cynical – not Christopher,” she said.

“We are delighted he will still be associated with the newspaper and website.”