ROGER FOWLE, deputy sports editor of the Kent Messenger, has retired after almost three decades with the KM Group.

About 70 of his colleagues and friends attended a party at the KM Group's headquarters at Larkfield where Roger received a number of farewell gifts. These included a season ticket to watch Kent cricket, a cricket helmet, an apron and a cookery book for helping his journalist wife, Jackie, around the home. He was also presented with framed pages from a tribute edition of the KM.

Roger, who has two sons and lives at Ditton, near Maidstone, began his career on the East Kent Gazette in his home town of Sittingbourne. He has worked for the KM for the past 27 years.

Ron Green, editor of the KM, said: "As well as being a focused, hardworking journalist, Roger has also made his mark at a gifted club cricketer.

"He has the respect and affection of his contemporaries, former colleagues and his many contacts in the sporting world. He will be greatly missed."