A regional daily district reporter has been given a lifetime achievement award after chalking up an amazing 60 years in the industry.

Ken Bennett started out as a junior reporter on a weekly newspaper in St Helens aged 15 and was recruirted by the Sunday People when still aged only 19.

In the course of a long career in national newspapers, he reported on some of the biggest stories of the 20th century, including the Moors Murders and the Yorkshire Ripper.

Now covering Saddleworth district for the Oldham Evening Chronicle, Ken has been presented with a lifetime achievement award by Liverpool Press Club.

Ken Bennett receives his award from Press Club secretary Chris Johnson

As well as the People, Ken also worked for the Sunday Mirror as a reporter and feature writer before becoming the paper’s Manchester-based northern editor for 13 years.

He later joined Express Newspapers in Fleet Street as group assistant editor for the Daily and Sunday Express and the Daily Star.

Ken also spent 12 yearsas head of PR for Emap Radio – the UK’s biggest commercial radio group and is a former president of Liverpool Press Club – the country’s oldest.

As well as working for the Chronicle he is also travel correspondent for Trinity-Mirror’s 140 regional titles and has received many awards for travel writing.

Ken said of his award: “It came as a complete surprise, I was humbled. I’m just happy to still carry the banner for local journalism and particularly in Saddleworth. I’m delighted to represent the community in such a diverse area.”

The award was presented by Chris Johnson, Liverpool Press Club’s secretary, at a luncheon attended by more than 150 media professionals.

“Ken richly merits this honour for the outstanding contribution he has made throughout his career,” said Chris.