One of the longest-serving daily editors in the regional press has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

In a rare honour for a regional newspaperman, Peter Barron, editor of the Northern Echo since 1999, was named among 1,195 recipients in the list published last night.

Peter, 51, was awarded his MBE for services to journalism and community life.

He said he hoped the award would highlight the “vital work” done by local newspapers at the end of what he said had been a “tough year” for journalism.

Commenting on the award Peter said:  “I am shocked, more than a little embarrassed, but very proud.

“Newspapers have had a tough year due to the actions of a tiny minority of national journalists and I hope this honour highlights the vital community work carried out by local newspapers nationwide.

“It has been a privilege to work in the regional press for 34 years and I’ve been lucky to work with a brilliant team on a paper with great campaigning traditions.

“I owe special thanks to my wife, Heather, for all her support.”

Peter began his career on the Scunthorpe Telegraph 34 years ago and joined the paper as a reporter in 1984.

After a two-year stint editing the Hartlepool Mail he returned as Echo editor in 1999 and is now the longest-serving editor in the paper’s 144-year history.

He has led some of its most notable campaigns, principally the Chance to Live campaign which was credited by Tony Blair with having changed government policy on heart bypass waiting times.

The campaign was launched following the death of Peter’s friend and colleague, Echo photographer Ian Weir, at the age of 38.

Fellow editors took to Twitter last night to voice their congratulations as the list was announced.

South Wales Argus editor Kevin Ward tweeted:  “Huge congratulations to fellow editor @EchoPeterBarron as he receives an MBE in the New Year honours. Richly deserved.”

Simon O’Neill of the Oxford Mail said:  “Delighted that my colleague @EchoPeter Barron has been awarded the MBE. Fine journalist and tireless champion of the north-east.”

And former Derby Telegraph and Bristol Post editor Mike Lowe added:  “Well deserved… for surviving if nothing else!   Nice to see the regional press being recognised.”

The award caps a notable year for Peter which saw him made a Deputy Lieutenant of Durham, a role in which he helps to represent the Queen in the county and champions the area.

He also became a published children’s author with the release of his two books Fartin’ Martin Sidebottom and Black-Toothed Ruth Black.

Two years ago he was appointed the first official ambassador for the Butterwick Children’s Hospice at Stockton for which he has personally raised more than £20,000 through speaking fees and his Dad At Large books.

He is also a board member of the National Council for the Training of Journalists and a governor of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation.