, Salute to grand old man of journalism FREELANCE journalist and former Bolton Evening News group correspondent Clive Cook has been honoured by fellow professionals for a remarkable 62 years' membership of the National Union of Journalists.

The Atherton man started his career at the age of 15 in 1926, working for Tillotsons, then owners of the BEN. He turned to freelancing and covered Leigh Magistrates Court for 37 years. He was there on March 30 this year when Leigh Court closed.

His last job was covering the nominations and Leigh constituency results for the Press Association in the June General Election. Clive, who will be 90 next Thursday, received a special membership certificate from NUJ general secretary John Foster.