The assistant editor of the Aberdeen Evening Express has retired after 37 years with the paper.

Ron Ferrier, (58), began his newspaper career as a cub reporter on the Montrose Standard.

A year later he moved to the Evening Express as a sub editor and - apart from a year-long spell with the Daily Express in Glasgow - Ron has remained with the paper ever since.

Ron moved up the ranks at the paper from deputy to chief-sub and then to assistant and deputy editor.

He has served as a deputy to five different editors - Bob Smith, Harry Roulston, Dick Williamson, Geoff Teather and current editor Donald Martin.

Ron said: "When I look back, I think of Broad Street as being a real newspaper office.

"It was a bit of a rabbit warren but we had a lot of fun. There weren't so many pressures about the job as there are now.

"I still think newspapers are better than any other form of media and they still give me a buzz.

"You have to be passionately interested in a job which is never nine to five. You must get a buzz out of stories and have a real nose for it.

"If you just go through the motions, you'll never make it as a good newspaper man."

Paying tribute to Ron, editor Donald said: "Ron is the consummate professional in everything he does. He is a superb operator and rightly regarded as one of the finest journalists.

"He'll be greatly missed by everyone in Aberdeen Journals. We wish him the very best on his retirement."

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