Former Wishaw Press chief reporter Helen Russell has had 30 years in journalism and PR marked by a dinner in her honour.

Almost 30 other journalists paid tribute to her work at the event run by the National Union of Journalists Lanarkshire Branch.

She retired from the paper last year, and aside from her writing has also been an active union member.

Helen has served as chairman and secretary and has been welfare secretary for 25 years, a post she still holds. She also served for a few years on the National Executive Council; one of only a handful of members from Lanarkshire to have ever served there.

In 2002, Helen was awarded the union’s gold medal, one of the highest accolades bestowed for service. At the celebration meal, she was awarded life membership of the NUJ.