A journalist who covered bombings, riots and European football triumphs for a regional daily has left the title after more than 30 years’ service.

Award-winning reporter Peter Spencer , left, also organised Europe’s biggest fund-raising event in aid of the families of firefighters who died in 2001’s September 11 terrorist attacks during his time at the Manchester Evening News.

Peter, 57, started his MEN career covering Bury and Bolton before being based at Manchester Airport.

During his news reporting days he covered the Lockerbie disaster, the Manchester bombing and the Moss Side riots before being promoted to assistant news editor.

Peter, who is also an amateur football referee, later become sports editor at the newspaper, covering Manchester United’s historic treble-winning season in 1999.

The feat even saw the MEN print an edition in Spain ahead of the club’s European Cup victory in Barcelona to allow supporters at the match to get up-to-the-minute coverage.

Peter was also once sprayed with beer by Liam Gallagher, as the Oasis rock star celebrated Manchester City’s promotion to the First Division.

His other roles at the paper included weekend editor, head of content and associate editor (print) at the newspaper.

Peter, a father-of-four, told the MEN: “I have enjoyed virtually every day in the newsroom. Nothing beats the variety and the challenge of getting a product out every day to deadline.

“When the IRA bomb exploded in Manchester in 1996 I was blown off my feet in the newsroom but quickly got myself sorted to join in a team effort to put together a bomb special.

“The Twin Towers terrorist attacks affected me deeply like everyone else so I invited Sir Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan to manage teams made up of United and City legends for a huge charity event held at the Manchester Arena.

“Salford tenor Russell Watson entertained the 15,000-strong crowd and two firefighters who survived the 9/11 attacks that killed 343 of their colleagues were flown in as surprise VIP guests.

“The people of Manchester raised £64,000 for families of the firefighters and former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani expressed his deep gratitude to Mancunians.”

Peter says he now will now continue with his refereeing and “look to find a new challenge”.

Neil Benson, editorial director of the MEN’s owner Trinity Mirror, said: “Peter is a distinguished, well known journalist who has worked for five editors and has consistently demonstrated his commitment to bringing the news and sport to the people of Greater Manchester.

“Through his fund-raising efforts for the New York firefighters he also demonstrated his can-do attitude and willingness to go the extra mile.”