Loyal York Evening Press reader John Hudson braved blizzard conditions - and forked out a fortune on taxi fares - to supply his remote North Yorkshire village with copies of his favourite paper.

The 52-year-old, who has hardly missed an edition since first buying it in April 1968, sprang into action when he discovered the snowy conditions had prevented the Press reaching the Forresters Arms, in Kilburn, where locals pick up their copy.

Evening Press vans were unable to supply the village with the paper because the drivers found the roads virtually impassable in the recent poor weather.

But determined not to be beaten, when the snow had eased, John was able to hitch a ride to Thirsk on a bus which ferries workers from the famous Robert Thompson furniture firm in Kilburn.

He then scoured the town's newsagents for copies of the paper, before paying nearly £10 of his own cash on a taxi to get him back to the hotel.

John, who used to live in Acomb, York, did it all again a couple of days later.

He said: "I wouldn't be without my Evening Press. I like the local news and the obituaries. All my effort was worth it.

"It's nice to be finally making the news!"