I read with great sadness about the passing of Ken Wilson, the legendary editor of the Knutsford Guardian.

I trained as a reporter under Ken’s editorship from 1977-79, a blessed era before emails and mobile phones. It was also a time when smoking in the office was de rigueur, although Ken himself was not an enthusiast in that area!

Ken was a naturally warm, engaging and funny man – qualities not always replicated in his peers.

He was also an excellent journalist and a thoughtful mentor to those who worked for him.

In those halcyon days for local newspapers, the Knutsford Guardian sold an incredible 6,000 copies a week, making it the pride of the Warrington Guardian group.

This was rightly a source of great pride to Ken and the small team of reporters.

He will be sorely missed.

Paul Newman Former TV correspondent for BBC News, TV-am and Sky News