An OBE has been awarded to the journalist who helped end one of the longest miscarriages of justice in UK history.

Prince Charles presented the honour to Don Hale, editor of the Matlock Mercury, on Thursday.

It was Mr Hale's seven-year campaign which helped clear the name of Stephen Downing.

Mr Downing had been found guilty in 1973 of the murder of typist Wendy Sewell, but that ruling was overturned at the Court of Appeal in January.

'Proud moment'

For keeping the case in the spotlight, Mr Hale was feted by the media as the small-town journalist who took on the British justice system.

He also received numerous journalism awards for his work on the issue.

Speaking to the BBC outside Buckingham Palace on Friday, Mr Hale said it was a "very proud moment".

"When you have been fighting the establishment for about eight years it was quite a shock to be awarded the OBE."

Mr Hale has co-written a script for a drama about the Downing case which should screen on the BBC next year.