The UK’s longest-serving regional daily editor is set to retire after 21 years at the helm of the same newspaper.

Terry Hunt, pictured left, has announced he will leave the East Anglian Daily Times at the end of September.

Terry, who joined Archant forerunner Eastern Counties Newspapers as a trainee reporter in 1979, has also edited the Ipswich Star for a total of six years in two spells.

He took on the title of the UK’s longest-serving regional daily editor following the departure of Perry Austin-Clarke from the Bradford Telegraph & Argus earlier this year after almost 25 years in charge.

The EADT is now looking to recruit a replacement for Terry, but Ipswich Star editor Brad Jones will take over on an interim basis in addition to his existing duty while the search goes on.

Terry will continue to write a column about Ipswich Town Football Club, as well as contributing to its Suffolk magazine, after his retirement.

During Terry’s time as editor, the EADT has launched many campaigns aimed at improving life for the communities of Suffolk and North Essex – including fighting for much-needed road and rail improvements, battling for faster broadband in rural areas, and working to improve educational standards in Suffolk.

The paper’s readers have also raised millions of pounds for good causes.

The EADT’s Maths Challenge, which helped thousands of school pupils to improve their maths, won an award from the International News Media Association, presented in New York, in 2013.

In 2011, Terry was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Suffolk and in 2015 was President of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, which organises the Suffolk Show.

Said Terry: “It’s been a huge privilege to do this job. I’m a Suffolk boy, and to be the editor of the newspaper which serves my home county, and the places I care about most, has been a great honour. I’m only the eighth editor of the EADT in 143 years, so I count myself extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity.

“It’s the job of a good local newspaper to use its influence to bring about positive change in its patch. I hope under my editorship the EADT has fulfilled that role, and has also accurately reflected the way life is in Suffolk and Essex. It’s been exciting, unpredictable and often challenging. But not once in the last 21 years has a single day dragged.

“I now look forward to a new phase of my life. I’m pleased to say I will maintain a relationship with Archant, writing columns for the EADT and EADT Suffolk Magazine. I also plan to work with a number of local organisations which are important to me.

“Hopefully there will also be more opportunities for walking, cycling, watching Ipswich Town, and perfecting my own unique brand of comedy golf. My thanks to the many, many people – colleagues and those in the community – who have been so supportive and helped me through the years.”

Jeff Henry, Archant Chief Executive, said: “Terry is a great campaigning editor and an inspirational mentor. Like the very best editors, he combines calm authority and impeccable decision-making with real passion for his patch, for his paper, and for his staff. An outstanding print journalist, he has adapted capably to changes in our industry and is currently presiding over record growth for the EADT’s digital brands.

“It’s a happy coincidence that Terry is stepping down just as the football team he loves, Ipswich Town, are enjoying their best start to a season in years. We wish him many happy years of following them at Portman Road – and, of course, he will continue to write about the club for the EADT.”