A NEWSPAPER editor who started his career as a tea boy at an Oxford Mail sister paper 40 years ago has launched a search for his first byline.

Stan Szecowka began work as a trainee reporter at the Banbury Cake in 1976 and wrote his first story for the paper’s Film Scene section.

Now four decades on he is enjoying life in much warmer climes as editor of Bahrain-based newspaper Gulf Weekly, but is still searching for that elusive cutting.

He said: “I treasured that first byline and have ended up chasing it ever since.

“It was fun times at the paper and I’d love to frame the page with the column on to show to my children and grandchildren.

“I would love to find a cutting or image of the page it was printed on, and didn’t know if any readers might have an old copy of the Cake from that time hidden in a cupboard or attic, wrapping up some item in the loft or garage. It would make an old hack very happy.”

The 56-year-old started out at his local paper after being offered the joint position of trainee reporter, photographer and tea boy by then-editor Graham Wilton.

He said the opportunity came along when he was interviewed for the paper about a hitchhiking trip to Poland to meet his late father’s family.

The former Bretch Hill, Banbury resident said: “Graham interviewed us about our adventure with a tent, rucksack and a load of Ready Brek.

“As you could recall, at the time Eastern Europe was behind the Iron Curtain. One night we were chased by police with guns because we had a Union Jack on our rucksacks.

“Graham asked me what I wanted to do when I left school and I told him I wanted to be a journalist.

“Three days later he offered me the job on £12 a week and I never returned to school.”

The weekly review involved reporters walking over to the Classic Cinema – now the Odeon – in Horsefair and picking up the following week’s top movie synopsis.

Mr Szecowka would then head back to the Cake’s offices in Market Place and rewrite it for the paper’s movie buffs.

He said: “I remember once covering the opening night of a horror movie, and a group of frenzied religious folk were warning people in the queue not to go in.”

To find the byline he has contacted the British Library, local history websites and Mr Wilton’s son but to no avail.

Can you help find the missing paper, from the late summer of 1976?

Call the newsroom on 01865 425433.