Former newspaper chief William Gibbs has died.

The 71-year-old had been managing director and chairman of Home Counties Newspapers, which published 26 weekly titles across Greater London and the Home Counties, including the Hampstead & Highgate Express, the Herts Advertiser series and the Welwyn & Hatfield Times.

William took over as MD of Home Counties Newspapers when his father Richard died in 1969.

He retired in 1998 when the company was sold to ECNG, now known as Archant.

William had suffered a stroke earlier this year and was in a nursing home when he died.

A widower, he had been married three times. He leaves three children and four grandchildren.

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