AddThis SmartLayers

Heart attack claims journalist's life

Burnley Express journalist Barry Ayrton has died.

The 51-year-old, who had worked at the Express for the past eight years, suffered a heart attack.

Barry was well-known in the town for his weekly Straight Talking column, and had previously worked for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and the Keighley News.

Burnley Express editor Chris Daggett said: “He was a professional through and through.

“He was a journalist of the old school – a reporter who once he got his teeth into a story wouldn’t let go.

“He called a spade a spade and in many ways was an archetypal Yorkshireman – blunt and straight to the point.

“There were no airs and graces about Barry, he said what he thought and wrote what he said.

“Journalism has lost a great character and a true gentleman.”

  • Barry’s older brother Dave, also a journalist, worked at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for many years before leaving last year.

    Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
    e-mail [email protected]