Heard the one about the former editor who can’t get a press officer’s job because he lacks a formal journalism qualification?

Harry Blackwood spent four years as editor of the Hartlepool Mail and 30 years with the paper in total before leaving in 2003.

He has since busied himself with teaching but after finishing a contract this summer was thrown back into the job market.

What appeared to be the perfect role came up at Hartlepool Borough Council – part-time press officer – but it seems experience such as sports editor, chief sub-editor and deputy editor just don’t cut the mustard when you don’t have the certificates.

The revelation came in a frank first-person piece written by the 52-year-old in this week’s Mail on Sunday.

He also speaks of his horror at being placed ‘in the system’ when he tried to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance and how he was treated at the Job Centre.

Harry attended a guidance session where the Job Centre worker used a computer system to find the right job for him.

The result was a Polish translator in Warrington – 200 miles from his home and he doesn’t speak Polish.