The Tamworth Herald's John Harper has celebrated 25 years with the company.

Assistant editor John joined the Herald as an apprentice compositor in November 1977 and moved to the editorial department in 1991 to become a reporter.

To mark 25 years of dedicated service, he was presented with a gold watch by managing director Ken Hayward.

And many of John's past and present colleagues turned out to a surprise presentation buffet in his honour.

Herald editor Sam Holliday said John's passion and dedication to Tamworth and to the Herald were legendary and his weekly history column was one of the most avidly read parts of the paper.