He is one of our greatest ambassadors and our most loyal servant.

Today we say farewell and thank-you to Les Richardson, who has brought the Evening Press to our readers for an incredible 68 years.

York city centre will not seem the same without Les. He is perhaps the city's best-known face and voice.

The papers he has sold down the years have been full of news of the famous, but now Les is a celebrity in his own right.

He receives letters from around the world and has become a fixture on the York tourist trail.

As well as offering our heartfelt appreciation to Les for his unrivalled service, we must also express our gratitude to those who have looked after him.

Many of the workers in nearby businesses have been very kind and their collection for his retirement present was another act of true generosity.

Les is right to call it a day. Last winter he was taken ill.

This year he will be able to keep warm and, we hope, well.

We are sure he will visit his many friends in the city. It only remains for us to say: happy birthday and happy retirement to Les, the voice of the Press.

see NEWS 'Suits you, Les'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.