ONE of Falmouth's most familiar faces was honoured by the town council last week.

Helen Dale brought the curtain down on a 30-year career in journalism, throughout which she covered council meetings in both Falmouth and Penryn.

Mark Williams, Falmouth Town Clerk, said: “What she did very well is filter what the community need to know from the council meetings. She is not afraid to ask a tough political question.

“She was well known and trusted, so people do know that she does report the issues fairly.”

Helen was presented with an engraved town plaque which recognised her "balanced and informative reporting" since 1990. She was also given a bouquet of flowers and a "bottle of fizz".

Having begun her career at the Falmouth Packet in the late 1980s, she moved to the West Briton after 11 years.

Following 14 years there, she returned to the Packet in 2013, before leaving the company last month.

She said: "It was lovely of the council to put on the evening for me to recognise what I've done. I've probably been going to the meetings for longer than most of the councillors!

"When I look at the 25 Years Ago feature in the Packet, I notice that there are a lot of issues then that are still going on today. The meetings have become a lot less politicised though, which has to be a good thing," she added.

Helen is now taking a hard-earned rest whilst she decides what to do next.