Grimsby Telegraph business editor Vince McDonagh has retired after 41 years at the newspaper.

Before taking his current post 12 years ago, Vince was the paper’s news editor for 10 years before moving into features and then taking over the business desk.

He had told colleagues that he’d only intended staying in the town “for a couple of years” after arriving as a reporter in 1964.

Watched by his wife Carol, the 62-year-old said his farewells after a presentation by editor Michelle Lalor.

Vince, originally from the “deep and intellectual south” – or Surrey to many – said he had intended to head for London after training at the Telegraph.

At his presentation he spoke of the great changes he has seen in industry in Grimsby, chiefly the transformation from a fishing town to a food town, the prospering port and the powerful petrochemicals sector.

Vince McDonagh cuts his farewell cake with
his wife Carol and editor Michelle Lalor (left)

The editor thanked Vince for his tremendous dedication throughout his career, handing over a telescope, a caricature of Vince – something regularly inflicted on heads of industry in the Business Telegraph Profile series – and a spoof front page.

Earlier, in a presentation at Ross House, Wynne Griffiths, chief executive of Grimsby’s biggest private sector employer, Young’s Bluecrest, paid tribute to Vince.

Describing him as a stalwart of the town and the industry, he said the Crystal Palace fan had played an important part in the growth of the company that is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

Former news editor David Laister, (26), has taken over the role.