A memorial service was due to be held today for a former Fleet Street journalist who began his career on the South Wales Echo.

Family, friends and former colleagues will give thanks for the life of John Womersley during a service at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street.

John died in a car accident in the South of France in April, aged 71.

After beginning his career on the South Wales Echo he joined the Manchester Evening Chronicle, and soon began work on the nationals.

He joined the Daily Sketch in 1957 as a £20-a-week reporter and worked his way up the ladder to news editor - becoming the first news editor of the Daily Mail when the two papers merged in 1971.

He was later appointed assistant editor (news) and also edited the Mail's northern editions in Manchester before taking early retirement in 1987.

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