A former regional daily journalist described as “the life and soul of the party” has died aged 74.

Winnie Walsh, left, spent 17 years as the main feature writer and women’s page editor of the Manchester Evening News during a career which also saw her write for the nationals.

Winnie spent time at the Huddersfield Daily Examiner early in her career before moving to the MEN, where she worked between 1970 and 1987.

She later went freelance, editing several magazines and writing for newspapers including the Daily Telegraph and The Sun.

An obituary in the Examiner states: “Winnie Walsh was a journalist who mixed with celebrities. The 74-year-old was always the life and soul of the party and had the gift of laughter.”

Winnie was born in June 1942 in Batley, the ninth and last child of James and Mary Walsh, who were teachers and both served as mayors of Batley – James in 1956 and Mary in 1968.

She had four brothers – Jimmy, Pat, Denis and Andrew – and four sisters – Mary, Rosie, Angela and Eileen – of whom now Denis, Andrew, Rosie and Eileen remain.

She married husband John in 1980 and spent 40 years as a journalist.

In her retirement she took up gardening, painting, and starting the Friends of Birch Park in Rusholme, Manchester, where she was the group’s secretary for 15 years.