Gemma Towle has left her dream job at a regional paper for the lure of being a police press officer.

In her last column for the Grimsby Telegraph, she shared her memories from the last two-and-a-half years - and what she'll miss about the buzzing newsroom.

My dream of being a journalist since I was knee-high to a grasshopper finally came true when I started to work here at the Grimsby Telegraph.

I was so pleased to be offered a job reporting for the paper and although it has not always been an easy ride, I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Being a journalist you get a few perks along the way - so though the money might not be the best you can make up for it with free gifts (for reviewing), free tickets to films and shows (for reviewing) and so on.

You also get to share some fantastic stories with people and as health reporter I have enjoyed more than my fair share.

It never fails to amaze me just how many people with unusual stories there are in the Grimsby area.

I have met countless people with horrible illnesses, incurable diseases and miraculous stories to tell and though I could not reel off each and every one of them there are some very memorable ones.

Perhaps the most memorable experience for me was two years ago when I was fortunate enough to be invited to Lapland with the local Wish Upon A Star trip.

The day was unforgettable and it was not just the magical sights and the sounds of Lapland - it was all the wonderful children, who, despite their many ailments, and some were suffering terribly, they spent the day in awe of what was happening and could not believe their luck.

People like that, especially those so young, makes you feel so lucky for what you have.

Of course one of the best things about being a reporter is your licence to be nosy and I have to admit I am a bit of a curtain twitcher who likes to know exactly what is going on.

Although you do not always find out everything you would like to, it does help when you get your press pass out and say where you are from.

I am moving on now, in fact some say moving over to the other side, as I will be working in the press office for Humberside Police, giving out details to reporters instead of digging for it.

But I will miss the buzz of a busy newsroom as well as all the people who have been happy to tell me their stories over the past few years.

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