Journalist Brian Hargreaves has died, aged 75, after a short illness.

Born in Blackpool, he worked at the Blackpool Gazette and Herald Ltd for 37 years and became editor in 1972 after being appointed deputy editor in 1970.

He was later appointed a director of the newspaper’s publishing company.

He became the food and wine editor of the magazines Lancashire Life, Cheshire Life and Yorkshire Life, and held a similar role with Lancashire Magazine and Yorkshire Ridings magazine.

His widow, Anne, paid tribute, saying: “Brian was very proud of Blackpool and a staunch ambassador of the resort.”

He had joined The Gazette group at the St Annes office before moving to the head office in Victoria Street.