ONE of the Gazette's most popular reporters has moved to the Channel Island of Guernsey to work for a daily newspaper.
Paul Ainsworth, who lived in Brentwood, left the 93-year-old institution last Friday after nearly four years.
Known for his laid back and affable style, the 29-year-old formed strong relationships with many Brentwood groups during his time at the Gazette, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), Recoil Twisters and the Brentwood Bus and Rail Users' Association.
Alan Marsh, the chairman of Herongate and Ingrave Parish Council, dealt with Paul on many matters over the years, including the battle against drug dealing in Ingrave.
Describing Paul as "really good to deal with," Mr Marsh added: "I think he was very good and he was always impartial as far as I am concerned. He always reported what were the facts, rather than having a biased view and he had a very pleasant manner. He was a nice guy to deal with."
Recoil Twisters trampolining club chairman, Tricia Sharpe, who ran a leg of the Olympic Torch relay, was very appreciative of Paul's commitment to providing regular coverage for worthy community groups.
She said: "People always got the gist of what we were saying to him. He always got our message spot-on.
"In the grand scheme of things what we were dealing with was quite small but to us it is really important and he well understood that.
"He would do whatever he could to support the community groups particularly and I shall miss him a lot."
John Wyndham, the founder of Brentwood's RBL Youth Band, said: "I'm dumbfounded that he has gone.
"I know he had a fondness for the band and for the RBL.
"He was always sincere and you felt that he understood how we operated."
Gazette editor Neville Wilson thanked Paul for his efforts, which included launching the Safety At Schools campaign, promoting sensible driving outside the school gates.
He said: "I got to know Paul when I first joined the Gazette almost two years ago and he has made a huge contribution to the team.
"He is a class act and became very popular around the community because he genuinely cared about the lives of people in Brentwood."
Paul has taken up a role with the Guernsey Press.
Prior to joining the Gazette in 2008, he worked for the Newark Advertiser in Nottinghamshire.
