A former Lancashire news chief described as “a role model for all aspiring journalists” has died, aged 64.

Brian Caven, the former editorial director of Citizen Newspapers and head of IT for Newsquest in Lancashire was semi-retired and lived in Blackburn.

He began his journalistic career with the Southport Visiter and went to London where he worked on the Evening News while doing shifts on several of the national newspapers.

After a few months in southern Spain he returned to England to become a sub-editor on the Lancashire Evening Post at Preston before joining the Daily Express in Manchester.

From there he joined the Post, the Warrington-based national launched by Eddie Shah, and when that folded he became chief sub on the new evening Chester Tonight.

He joined the Citizen group in 1989 and later developed his interest in information technology management while retaining editorial control of the weekly newspapers.

Former colleague Harold Heys said: “Brian was a legend in journalism.

“He could drink anyone under the table and smoked more than Vesuvius.

“He was a role model for all aspiring journalists.

“And he was also a great newspaper man. He could write a better headline than anyone I’ve known.

“A lot of younger journalists have Brian to thank for helping them in their early careers.”

Friends and colleagues paid tribute via the Blackburn Citizen website where they left messages.

Greg Morgan paid tribute, writing: “A warm, articulate, intelligent and passionate man who was too soft for his own good; he always wore his heart on his two-piece sleeve. He celebrated life’s highs like a real party animal but when things went wrong and it all came crashing down… he still celebrated like a party animal.

”Brian cared more for journalists and the product than he did the fast buck, a trait sadly lacking in many of today’s regional newspaper bosses and for that, at the very least, he should be thanked.

Richard Stanley said: “I’ve never met a journalist that understood I.T. as well as him. He was a great boss and had my utmost respect.

Belinda Jenkins said: “Brian was foremost a superb journalist and I must admit I was quaking in my boots when he became my boss. But hey… what a lovely caring man. Thank you Brian for everything you taught me and for helping me through the tough times.”

Another comment poster, who signed herself Andrea, added: “He really knew his stuff and helped me on my way. He’d set you straight in his unique way and I can only thank him for that. When Brian walked through the door you’d know about it. What a presence he had. I’ve got some great memories from those days.”

A service and cremation at Pleasington was attended by more than 100 mourners.