THE founder of a Country and Western music magazine and former Kent Messenger employee has won a top award.

Alan Cackett has received the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award - the highest available in the industry for those working outside the United States.

Mr Cackett worked in the production department of the Kent Messenger from 1968 to 1997.

In the mid-1960s he launched Britain’s first Country Music magazine, Country Music Monthly. In 2002 he founded the highly successful Maverick Magazine.

The award was presented to Mr Cackett by Bobbi Boyce, the international director of the Country Music Association.

Mr Cackett, of Bray Gardens, Maidstone, said he found it “humbling and unexpected” to have his endeavours recognised by his peers in the country music industry. He added: “I never got involved in country music for fame or fortune. It’s always been about the passion for good music that touches me emotionally.”