Sixteen workers have been honoured for achieving a total of 470 years of service with the Express & Star’s parent company, the Midland News Association.

Each member of staff was presented with a specially-created front page from the day they started with the company by MNA chairman Douglas Graham.

Mr Graham praised the loyalty and hard work of the employees over the years at an awards ceremony.

Workers from the Express & Star and its sister paper the Shropshire Star were all given accolades, as were staff from other MNA companies Claverley Group, Precision Colour Printing and Press Computer Systems.

Mr Graham said: “It gives me considerable pleasure to hand out these awards.

“This is just a small recognition to the people who have served this company so well.

“These are difficult times for all newspapers and the last year or two have been pretty fraught.

“But the loyalty and commitment here today is the most priceless asset a firm can have.” The long service awards are a proud tradition within the MNA. One of the highest honours went to Melvyn Morgan, who clocked up 45 years with the company.

Mr Morgan, who retired as assistant editor of the Bridgnorth Journal two months ago, started on the paper in 1966 as a junior reporter. The 65-year-old, who lives in Bridgnorth, said: “I enjoyed my time at the company – it has flown by.

“There have been some great times and I’m proud to have completed 45 years.”

Those receiving awards for 35 years included Claverley Group director Graham Evers. Mr Evers, 64, said: “It’s been a fantastic 35 years. The best bit about it has been the people I’ve worked with over the years.”

A number of other staff were honoured for 35 years service, including Press Computer Systems software developer Steve Whitbread, Tony Wilde from Express & Star advertising, Colin Briscoe from the Express & Star services department and Toby Neal from the editorial section of the Shropshire Star.

Those who were awarded for 25 years of service included Nicholas Mattison-Brown and Timothy Lee from the production department of the Shropshire Star, Steve Newman from Express & Star production and Roger Simpson and Darshan Basra from Express & Star advertising make-up.

Gail Robinson and Beverley Hatfield from the Express & Star’s advertising department, Precision Colour Printing  printer Stuart Thompson, Press Computer Systems software developer Howard Lane and Derek Gardner from Press Computer Systems Management Info also clocked up 25 years. Gifts handed out included gold watches, flat-screen televisions, cameras, iPads and gold rings.