The press watchdog has revealed it has dealt with more than 65,000 complaints and enquiries since it was founded five years ago.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation has marked the milestone by also revealing it has issued more than 300 advisory notices to editors over the same period of time.

The notices advise newsrooms that those such as grieving families do not wish to be contacted.

In a blog marking the occasion, Matt Tee, pictured, said the advice “almost always” has the desired effect.

Looking back on the past five years, he added: “A key feature of IPSO is that it isn’t just a complaints handling organisation. We also have a Standards function that looks to encourage publishers to raise editorial standards and to help the public understand how the press work.

“Over five years we’ve issued guidance for editors on issues ranging from coverage of transgender issues to reporting deaths and suicide. For the public, we have produced information leaflets on subjects from how journalists use social media and how the press cover courts.

“Over five years IPSO has emerged as a maturing regulator that generally has the confidence of those we regulate, although at times they vehemently disagree with our rulings.

“Although we not a government organisation and they have no influence over what we do, the government was sufficiently reassured with IPSO’s progress that it decided not to enact legislation that would have made the press liable for costs in court cases, even if they had won, and decided not to proceed with the second part of the Leveson inquiry.”

Earlier this week IPSO announced that all major publishers have agreed to sign-up to the regulator for a further five years.