Staff at the Oxford Mail are mourning the deaths of two colleagues.

Colin Dobson, a former deputy editor of the Mail, died from bronchial pneumonia on Friday.

He had worked there for 18 years, joining as deputy editor in 1970, and retiring in 1988 – during which time he had deputised for three editors – Mark Barrington-Ward, Terry Page, and Eddie Duller.

Paying tribute to Colin, Mr Duller said: “Colin was very professional and he had a wealth of experience and knowledge of Oxford and Oxfordshire which came through in the paper.

“He was absolutely dedicated to giving the best news, features and sports service and I learned a tremendous amount from him.”

As keen gardener and reader, Mr Dobson wrote book reviews and the gardening column for the paper for many years after his retirement.

Andy Rogers, an output/image setter operator, died on Saturday, aged 38.

He had worked for Newsquest Oxfordshire, publishers of the Mail, for six years.

Mr Rogers leaves a son, Curtis, 16, and daughter, Jade, 14, and wife, Vivienne.

Mrs Rogers said: “Andy had been ill for a while but his death came as a real shock. Our daughter is finding it very hard to take.”

Richard Langton, deputy operations manager for Newsquest Oxfordshire, said: “Andy was always a pleasure to work with. He had a dry sense of humour and it will be very difficult to replace him. He was a professional.”

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