A weekly newspaper editor has been presented with the Rotary Club’s most prestigious award in recognition of his work for the community.

Mark Jones, editor of Gazette Newspapers in Basingstoke for the past seven years, received the Paul Harris Fellow Award, named after the founder of Rotary International.

His local Rotary Club says the paper’s support had helped it raise £30,000 over the past year.

Mark is pictured, right, receiving the award from Basingstoke Deane Rotary Club president Jim Lawson.

Mr Lawson said: “In making this award, we acknowledge the substantial support given to our club and for Rotary in Basingstoke and Deane by Mark, and recognise the enormous contribution he and his organisation make to the community of Basingstoke.

“The support from The Gazette has been absolutely outstanding. We would not have raised anything like the £30,000 we have over the past year without the support that Mark and the paper have given us.”

Accepting the award, Mark said: “I am very honoured to receive this important and prestigious award, and I receive it very much on behalf of my terrific editorial staff and everyone at Gazette Newspapers.

“It is also a great tribute to the generosity of The Gazette’s readers who have always responded so magnificently to the Rotary campaigns that we have been delighted to support.”