JOURNALIST Gerry Moore, award-winning communications manager at Kent County Council, is leaving the post after 27 years.

Mr Moore won the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Sword of Excellence prize for community relations for his work in advising Kent communities during the building of the international rail link.

He said: "After nearly three decades with the county council I have decided it is time to look for a fresh challenge. I will miss the great team of people I have worked with at KCC, especially those in the communications unit."

The Cabinet Member for Policy Performance and International Relations, Alex King, said: "Gerry has made an enormous contribution to Kent. His influence on the county council cannot be overstated, particularly in difficult times. I will personally miss Gerry’s contribution and advice."

Mr Moore's most notable moments included helping to convince people that Kingshill at West Malling would develop from a disused airbase into "something very special" for the county and twice leading the KCC communications unit to the final of Local Government Chronicle’s "PR Team of the Year" award in 2003 and 2004.

In 2003 he became a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations, the highest honour and bestowed for outstanding achievement.

Mr Moore first started work in Kent as a local paper reporter and did freelance work for national newspapers. He became a successful editor of a national magazine and, while working as National PR Manager for the Freight Transport Association, launched an award-winning "meals for wheels" campaign aimed at preserving a national network of truck stops.

Kent County Council chief executive Peter Gilroy, said: "Gerry is a true professional, one of the most competent and imaginative in the business and always available at times of difficulty. In that sense he is irreplaceable and I will greatly miss his counsel."

Former Leader, Lord Bruce-Lockhart,stressed: "I owe Gerry a personal debt and thanks for his support and advice – often given at awkward and unsocial hours – we all wish him health and happiness in what will be hopefully a less stressful phase of his career."