A photographer who has served his community for four decades has retired.

Ray Corke, 60, joined the Grimsby Telegraph back in 1968 after a spell working for the Evening News, in London.

During his career he photographed former foreign secretary Tony Crosland meeting his US counterpart Henry Kissinger at RAF Waddington when they met to discuss the Cold War.

He has also snapped The Beatles and followed Grimsby Town FC to almost every football ground in the UK, including the old and new Wembley Stadium, in London.

Looking back at his early assignments, including brushing shoulders with Tom Jones at a luncheon, he said: “It is amazing what the job enables you to do, which members of the public don’t get to see.”

Ray, who met his wife Judy in Grimsby, said that after his move up from London in the late 60s he had never left the area and considered himself to be a Grimbarian.

He was sent on a bogus photography assignment to Grimsby Town Hall where he was greeted by a presentation in his honour in the mayor’s parlour hosted by the mayor and mayoress of North East Lincolnshire.

Mayor Coun Colin Eastwell said: “This has been a bit of jiggery pokery to get you here.

“We want to honour your service to North East Lincolnshire. This shows the esteem in which you are held by your peers.”

Ray received a clock engraved with the North East Lincolnshire crest.

Ray receives his silver clock from North East Lincolnshire mayor and civic staff