Journalist Barrie Thomas is celebrating his 30 years at the Llanelli Star.

Barrie, who is now sports editor for the paper, joined the Star in 1971 as a trainee reporter.

With a keen interest in sport, he immediately started to cover matches, and a year later he became a sports reporter.

Throughout his career he has seen many changes at the paper, the biggest being technological, as the printing department closed down with the introduction of computerised page layout.

Barrie said: “The whole department had to leave because of new technology. That was a very sad year as they were all my friends.”

He has also formed close relationships with many sports personalities, some of who attended a special party to celebrate Barrie’s three decades with the paper.

Star editor Robert Lloyd said: “A career spanning 30 years is a great achievement. Barrie’s name is synonymous with the Star and with sport in general in Llanelli.”

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