Former newspaper editor Bill Sneyd has died after a short illness. He was 72.

He had edited the Lincolnshire Echo and the Hull Daily Mail, and before his retirement was the London editor of the Northcliffe Group.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, after leaving school he joined The Sentinel in 1947 as a reporter.

After completing his National Service, he became the paper's drama critic and moved to the sub-editors' desk in 1959, later becoming deputy chief sub.

He then became assistant editor of the Grimsby Evening Echo, before being appointed editor of the Lincolnshire Echo in 1974.

Three years later he took over as editor of the Hull Daily Mail where he remained until his London appointment in the mid-1980s.

He retired 14 years ago.

His funeral will be held at St Michael's Church, Heighington, Nr Darlington, Co Durham, at 11am tomorrow.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk