An East Midlands chief photographer has retired after 35 years with his paper.

Stuart Robertson joined the Mansfield Chad in 1974 and progressed up to the role of chief photographer – a position he held for 20 years.

During his career working in the Nottinghamshire town, the 65-year-old covered the year-long miners' strike in the 1980s and accompanied local troops on several overseas tours including a trip to Bosnia in the early 1990s.

More recently Stuart has held an administrative role with the Chad due to ill health. Current Chad chief photographer Roger Grayson paid tribute to his former colleague. "He's been very helpful and pleasurable to work with," he said.

"His knowledge of photography is second to none. Since he had been deskbound he missed meeting people and the cross section of society that we meet doing this job."

Stuart was presented with a bottle of champagne, holiday vouchers and a commemorative front page to mark his retirement.

He said: "I've had some interesting times and met some interesting people."

Stuart's retirement completes a hat trick of high-profile departures at the Chad, with editor Jeremy Plews and deputy sports editor Gordon Foster both retiring after many years' service earlier this year.

Stuart receives a commemorative front page from Chad editor Tracy Powell