A former East Midlands editor who served for half a century in the local press has died aged 81.

Vincent Allen spent the final 18 years of his career as editor of the Hucknall Dispatch until his retirement in 1990 when he was succeeded by current incumbent Richard Silverwood.

Vincent is one of only four editors in the Dispatch’s 106-history – the others being Dispatch founder Henry Morley (1903 to 1947) and Stan Avery (1947 to 1972).

A self-taught journalist, he joined the title after the end of World War II after working as an aircraft technician with the RAF.

Known as a jack of all trades, Vincent performed almost every role going, including regularly taking photos for the paper, and was responsible for expanding it into the neighbouring Nottinghamshire town of Bulwell in 1952.

He also spent a period as editor of Derbyshire sister paper the Belper News while in charge at Hucknall. Both titles are now owned by Johnston Press.

Away from the newsroom, Vincent was a long-standing member of Hucknall Rotary Club, serving as its president in 1981-82, and he edited the Rotary magazine for many years.

He was also an organist at a local sports and social clubs and ran a dance trio.

Vincent died in hospital after collapsing at his home last Friday. He is survived by his wife Nora and his funeral takes place on Tuesday at 1.10pm at Mansfield Crematorium.