One of the Lancashire Evening Post's most respected members of staff has died after a battle against cancer.

Alan Burgess, (44), was at his home in Fulwood, Preston, surrounded by his family.

His wife Alma is expecting the couple's second child.

Alan (right) began his newspaper career in 1979 at the Hull Daily Mail as a reporter. He moved to Preston in 1983 to join the Lancashire Evening Post, rising from senior reporter to education correspondent and then news editor. He also spent two years as features editor before moving into newspaper sales as regional promotions and travel manager in 1997.

In April 1999 he was made newspaper sales director for the Lancashire Evening Post, Wigan Evening Post and Chorley Guardian.

Lancashire Evening Post editor Simon Reynolds said: "All of Alan's colleagues have a huge respect for his immense contribution to the paper.

"We will miss his professionalism but most of all we will miss him for his wonderful sense of humour."

Peter Moore, former editor of the Grimsby Telegraph, was assistant editor of the Hull Daily Mail when Alan joined.

He said: "I remember him being a very bright, enthusiastic trainee who was clearly going to make his mark in journalism.

"All his friends from his days in Hull will be absolutely shattered to hear that the industry has been robbed of such a talented person. All our thoughts go to his family."

Click here to read features editor Peter Richardson's tribute.

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