An award-winning editor who has worked in the industry for 47 years will retire next month to take on a new challenge.

Malcolm Hoddy, pictured left and below, is editor-in-chief of the Keighley News, Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer, but will leave the role in September when he reaches the age of 65.

But despite hanging up his notepad and pen, he will not be putting his feet up, with him preparing to become a “professional cyclist” for Safe2Cycle.

The organisation is a Bradford-based cycle training company run by his wife Francine, with Malcolm set to teach people of all ages and abilities how to ride a bike.

He said: “I went straight from school onto a weekly paper and, apart from two weeks between jobs, I have been a journalist since then. The industry is going through one hell of a change at the moment – but this is still the best job in the world.

“This job has taken me to places ranging from New York, to Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq.

“I passed my Cycling Proficiency test in 1958 and have been into cycling ever since. I am passionate about getting more people into cycling and we specialise in getting people of all ages and abilities on a bike. It is never too late.”

Malcolm started out in journalism at the Pudsey News before leaving to join the Bradford-based Northern News Agency run by Tom Hopkinson.

After a spell there, he went to the North East to be a freelance with Northern Counties News Agency before progressing to the Newcastle Evening Chronicle and Journal, doing stints in North Shields, Whitley Bay and Blyth.

Malcolm then returned to the Northern News Agency in Bradford where he spent more than 20 years working, covering major stories including the M62 bombing, the Black Panther murders, the Poulson scandal and he became known as an expert on the Yorkshire Ripper murders.

He joined the Bradford-based Telegraph & Argus as news editor about 26 years ago, before becoming assistant and then deputy editor.

Malcolm was appointed editor of the Keighley News 17 year ago, with his role expanded to include managing the Ilkley and Otley titles last year.

He is a passionate cyclist, being a national standard instructor, a Bikeability tutor and a British Cycling ride leader and route planner.

Perry Austin-Clarke, Newsquest Bradford group editor, said: “This is the first time I’ve been able to tell Malcolm to ‘get on his bike’ and mean it literally!

“Seriously, though, he’s been a fantastic servant to both the Telegraph & Argus and the Keighley News. His immense experience has been a real asset, not least to many young reporters starting out in the business, and that, along with his legendary sense of humour and bottomless bag of anecdotes, will be hugely missed.

“A warning to road users, though, the sight of him coming towards you on his bike in that fluorescent Lycra can be somewhat distracting!”