Sir Ronnie Flanagan, chief constable of the RUC has accepted an invitation to be chief guest and speaker at the Society of Editors' annual dinner during its conference in Belfast in October.

He is a key figure in the peace process and has a reputation as a lively and entertaining speaker.

The black-tie dinner at Belfast's historic City Hall will be a celebration of the media in Northern Ireland.

It is being sponsored by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Northern Ireland Development Agency and will follow a reception by the Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Media organisations from both Northern Ireland and south of the border have already booked tables.

The Society reports that delegate bookings are also mounting and the society is putting final touches to the programme.

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