A reporter has looked back on a “rollercoaster of discovery and excitement” after notching up 40 years of service with a regional publisher.

Newsquest journalist Barbara Jordan has marked the milestone after spending four decades working on virtually all of the company’s newspapers across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Barbara, pictured, began her career as a trainee reporter in 1982 on the Runcorn World after leaving university.

While there, she was chief judge in the World’s popular Search for a Star competition and one year used her casting vote to choose 14-year-old singer Gary Barlow, later of Take That fame, as the winner.

Barbara later moved to its sister office in Widnes and became chief reporter, where she was known for travelling to jobs on a moped while wearing a distinctive yellow crash helmet.

She now works on the Mid Cheshire Guardian series based in Warrington.

Accolades she has won over the years include Newsquest’s Reporter of the Year award on one occasion, and an O2 North West Media Award for her Facebook Live videos, including one captured at the top of the new Mersey Crossing before it opened to the public.

Said Barbara: “I can’t believe it’s 4O years. It’s been a rollercoaster of discovery and excitement.

“It doesn’t feel like one job as I’ve worked in so many offices, on different papers with so many wonderful teams. But most of all it’s the amazing advances in technology that constantly change the way we operate.

“I started writing stories on a small portable typewriter with little pieces of copy paper. Now we cover news 24/7 at the touch of a button with live blogs.

“It has been a privilege to share the joys and sorrows of many people’s lives. I have met so many amazing people, it really has been an incredible journey.”