Newspaper legend and business champion Ian Mean has been awarded an MBE.

He has been named in the Queen's Jubilee Honours for his services to the community in Gloucestershire.

'Old Meanie' as he was affectionately dubbed by his newspaper colleagues, presided over the newsroom at The Citizen and Echo for a decade.

He now works to improve the county as Business West's director for Gloucestershire.

Mr Mean said: "This is a great honour at this very special Queen's birthday.

"I am very proud to shout about the great businesses we have in Gloucestershire on behalf of Business West".

Phil Smith, managing director of Business West ,said: "All of us at Business West are delighted that Ian has been nominated for this prestigious accolade. We have him to thank for the voices of business being heard in our region and his unwavering support for firms make him well deserving of this award."

Born a Londoner Mr Mean got his big break into journalism aged 16, landing a trainee role at the South London Observer after writing to 120 newspapers.

He went on to work with the likes of Mirror editors David Banks, Colin Myler and Piers Morgan before being appointed editor of the Gloucester Citizen in the early 2000s.

He spent more than ten years in that role, picking up two Newspaper of the Year awards and becoming editor-in-chief of the sister Gloucestershire Echo.

His life mantra has been to try and make a difference and find causes to champion.

During his reign he guided dozens of reporters along on their own careers, rallied support for businesses during the devastating floods and led numerous campaigns for charities. His campaign to boost apprenticeships in Gloucestershire saw 500 launched in 100 days and the initiative went on to be replicated nationally.

He was also vice chair of Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company from 2004-11 and cites it as one of his proudest moments. It attracted £750million of investment to the city to transform the docks and the quays.

He also became known for his attire of striped suits, crisp shirts, silk ties and matching socks.

The dress code may have relaxed since he finished his newspaper career, his final role editing the Western Daily Press, but Mr Mean remains as hard working as ever.

Today he is respected for his voluntary roles in the region which include vice chair of GFirstLEP, chair of Gloucestershire Hospitals Organ Donation Committee for the last seven years and regional chair for South Central Division of NHSBT organ donation committees which includes 10 hospital trusts from Gloucestershire to the Isle of Wight.

Mr Mean is also director of Forest of Dean Economic Partnership and an honorary vice president of Gloucestershire College.

 Punchline editor Mark Owen said: "I have known Ian for 18 years and his dedication to the community is inspirational. You never know which hat he is wearing but you are guaranteed it fits.

"We have parodied him in the past and he always takes it in good humour. His energy puts us younger pups to shame.

"This accolade is so deserved and it is nice to write something positive about someone who is still alive."

See Punchline editor Mark Owen's recent interview with Mr Mean about his work for Gloucestershire here.