I SHOULD like to pay tribute to Martin Oates, chief photographer at The Press, on the announcement of his early retirement after 44 years, as well as his colleagues who recently left, Garry Atkinson and Mike Tipping.

The quality of their combined photography has been of the highest national news standard which has kept The Press at the top of the tree for decades.

They were all old school and a credit to this newspaper and all that’s best that regional papers stand for in the community.

They were trustworthy, gentlemen and they all had a great eye for a picture.

Keith Massey, Bishopthorpe, York.