Alan Proctor, editor of the Evening Telegraph and Post in Dundee, has retired.

He had spent his entire career with the newspaper’s publisher, DC Thomson & Co Ltd, joining the company straight from school in July, 1959.

His first job was as an editorial assistant with The Sunday Post in Dundee, and he then moved to the sports desk of the Evening Telegraph and The Sporting Post, as a sub-editor and writer.

In the 1960s and 70s Alan (pictured) wrote a boxing column under the name of Barry Wells.

He also spent time on the features and news desks before he became deputy editor and then editor, a post he had held for the past 10 years.

Saying farewell to the paper, Alan praised Evening Telegraph staff for “guiding the paper through the production transition from hot metal to computerisation”.

He said one of the highlights of his editorship was the poll the paper conducted to find out if the fans were for or against the amalgamation of Dundee FC and Dundee United.

This attracted national media attention and resulted in an emphatic “no” from the supporters.

A keen supporter of junior football, Alan also plans to spend his retirement pursuing his other lifelong interests of jazz, books and film, as well as spending more time with his wife Sheila, their two daughters and two grandchildren.

Gordon Wishart has succeeded Alan as editor of the Evening Telegraph and Post. He was previously deputy editor.