Bill Chisholm, the former Borders correspondent of The Scotsman, has had his career in journalism recognised by the Scottish Borders Council.

Bill, who recently retired after 36 years in the position, was presented with a bronze casting of the famous Reiver monument to acknowledge his service to the Borders community.

At the age of 16, Bill joined the Smith freelance news agency in Berwick as a trainee reporter and three years later in 1964 he joined the Berwick Advertiser.

Following a brief spell at the Kelso Chronicle in 1967, Bill moved to The Scotsman where he was offered the position of Borders correspondent in 1969.

At the informal ceremony, Bill told the gathering of councillors, officials and media colleagues that there was still a need for investigative journalism.

He said: “Back in 1969 it was difficult to get information from the county councils because all committees, except education, met in private.

“Now journalists are bombarded with press releases and spin from public agencies and perhaps, as a result, many have adopted lazy habits.”