A former newspaper editor has been recognised with the naming of a road after him in the town which he served for more than 50 years.

Wallace Henry Hills was one of the first editors of the East Grinstead Observer, taking up the post in 1881.

But despite his massive impact on the town he has not been offically recognised until now.

Signs reading 'Hills Road' have gone up in Imberhorne Industrial Estate, having previously caused confusion for visitors and delivery drivers because the road did not have a name.

Historian Michael Leppard, president of the East Grinstead Society, put Wallace's name forward when he was approached by the local council for suggestions of names of people with links to the town.

He said: "I thought for a long time he really ought to have some kind of public recognition and one way of doing that is with a road sign."

The East Grinstead Observer, now owned by Trinity Mirror, was launched in 1881 by a local estate agent, George Simmins, but was quickly bought out by publisher FaSSNombes who installed the then 20-year-old Wallace as its editor.

Wallace continued in the post for 51 years, and was also a local councillor and historian, publishing a book about the town.

He was a staunch Conservative and during his editorship the paper took a decided political line, not uncommon for local newspapers at that time.