THE DEDICATED former editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) from the Queen as her Honours Birthday recipients are revealed.

53-year-old Martin Trepte who lives in Reading will receive the award for his services to the newspaper industry and for his commitment to helping charities.

Martin who has worked in journalism for 30 years is honoured to receive the prestigious award.

He said: “It’s a great honour to receive the award and it’s great for the role of local press to be recognised.”

Mr Trepte believes the award also provides praise for local news and the role it plays in the community.

He added: “The award is also recognition for local press in the community and this is something that is immensely important to me.”

Mr Trepte was editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser for over 20 years and during this time was the driving force behind charitable campaigns including the Cash for Schools initiative.

The scheme ran for ten years and saw schools collect tokens printed in the paper in order to win a share of a prize fund.

The Christmas Cracker scheme focused on helping vulnerable people over Christmas.

Martin added: “The Christmas Cracker was all about making sure elderly people and the homeless don’t get overlooked over Christmas time.”

Martin feels very lucky to have been involved in helping the community.

He said: “I was lucky to be editor of a newspaper with such a big community ethos. As a local reporter you are part of the glue that holds the community together and report for the public, champion and campaign on local issues.”

“It’s a team effort from everybody and the most important part of working for a local paper is being there for the good of the community.”

In his spare time Martin often gives talks to outside groups and organisations, including schools.