A photographer is set to retire after half a century of service to the same regional newspaper.

David Lowndes, pictured, has announced his forthcoming retirement from the Peterborough Telegraph, where he first started out as a photographic assistant in September 1973.

Since then, he has worked with 49 mayors, 27 Peterborough United Football Club managers, 11 MPs, five bishops and 11 editors.

David, who will retire in September next year, joined the Telegraph after a brief spell as trainee reporter on the Peterborough Standard.

He told HTFP: “Within a few months I got my hands on a camera. From then on I was to be at the front of most important events happening in the city.

“Sadly, around 10 years ago the newspaper went weekly and following that all staff photographers were made redundant.

“I was given the freelance contract and have been the last man standing since 2014.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my newspaper and my city for the last 49 years. But as I start my 50th and final full-time year with the PT I keep hearing ‘Come on Lowndesy, you’ll never give it up.'”