Former Leicestershire journalist Leslie Wilkes has died after a long illness.

During a lengthy career he worked for the Leicester Mercury, first as its motoring correspondent and then features editor.

In 1961 he became editor of the Leicestershire Advertiser, where he stayed until 1984, and under his editorship the title went from broadsheet to tabloid.

He also launched the Oadby and Wigston Advertiser, and after his retirement went on to lead a course for would-be writers.

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