STEWART Dunn, the former boss of the Hampshire Chronicle, has been honoured with the Winchester Millennium Egg.

Mr Dunn, chief executive of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, has been recognised with his decades of work locally.

The Egg was presented at the start of the Winchester Business Excellence Awards at Guildhall Winchester.

The egg, crafted by local jeweller Jeremy France in 2000, is Winchester’s equivalent to the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Oscar for the local economy.

It is awarded in celebration of local people and organisations that have made a significant and sustained contribution to the economy of the district.

Simon Eden, city council chief executive, said: “We are delighted this year to be making this award to Stewart Dunn, Chief Executive of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. A Winchester resident for over 20 years, Stewart was responsible for the publishing of the Southern Daily Echo and Hampshire Chronicle.

"In his current role at the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce he works with Government and Winchester City Council influencing policy on a wide range of issues affecting local businesses as well as providing an extensive programme of business support for its members.”

Mr Dunn responded: “I feel immensely proud to have been presented with the prestigious award of the Millennium Egg. Over the last 20 years, formerly through the Hampshire Chronicle and more recently in my capacity as chief executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and director of the Winchester Business Improvement District, I have been both privileged and lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to both live and work in the city that I feel passionate about.”

Previous award winners have included the late Graham Jamieson of the Wykeham Arms, Barbara Bryant who headed the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry for many years, Hampshire Farmers’ Market, Winchester Hat Fair, Winchester Cathedral, Mohamed Bakhaty, Chris Turner of the Winchester BID, Jim Sawyer of London and Clancy, Richard Steele of Richard Steele and Partners, Tim Jackson, Principal at Sparsholt College, Charles Barter of the Watercress Company and last year David Webb of the Federation of Small Businesses.

It is displayed throughout the year with a collection of civic silver outside the Bapsy Conference Chamber at Guildhall.