A “legendary” weekly newspaper journalist has been given the freedom of the borough he served for 46 years.

Ian Austen, who was the Croydon Advertiser’s longest-serving reporter before his retirement in May, has received the honour from Croydon Council.

Ian was made a freeman of the borough at a full council meeting last Monday.

During his time at the Advertiser he held roles including chief reporter, education correspondent, news editor and political reporter after starting as a 19-year-old trainee in 1969.

Ian Austen, right, receives the honour from mayor of Croydon, Patricia Hay-Justice

Ian told the meeting: “I’m very grateful, and it’s a privilege to be able to stand here and thank you all for rewarding me in this way.

“I’m particularly pleased that my two grandchildren are here with all the respect and deference that’s being shown.

“They never fail to remind me that they never believe a word I say!”

“But I still believe that the local newspaper should be an important part of local life, exposing problems where necessary, but at the same time reflecting on the good in the borough.

“I always tried to report all those stories in a balanced way and, on occasion, even accurately.”

Council leader Tony Newman told the meeting: “The word legendary is frequently overused, but in the case of Mr Ian Austen, I actually think its true.

“For almost 50 years he’s chronicled the political comings and goings and news generally across Croydon.

“If you simply reprinted everything Ian had documented I believe you would have a powerful story about our town over a number of years.

“What stood out for me being interviewed by him is that he cared so much, not just about Croydon, but all those people in those many articles.”