A former regional press journalist who has remained with the National Union of Journalists since the 1960s has been awarded a lifetime membership.

David Bell started his career as a reporter at the Motherwell Times in 1961, becoming a member of the union after three months and later acting as treasurer of the Lanarkshire NUJ branch.

He left the paper in 1967 and spent time working at the Evening Times and Hamilton Advertiser before becoming editor of the Rutherglen Reformer.

David then worked for the press office at Glasgow District Council from 1975 to 1995, before working for a PR agency for three years then setting up his own company, Bell Media.

He has recently been the vice-chairman of the Lanarkshire branch and was presented with his certificate of life membership at a special lunch by branch chairman Neil McGrory.

David said: “The award of the life membership took me completely by surprise and I am very grateful to have received this recognition from the union.”