An arts journalist synonymous with the local drama scene in a Merseyside town has died.

Gwen Storey was a columnist with the Formby Champion, a former mayoress of Sefton and drama teacher.

She suffered a heart failure after being ill for some time and died at her, the Formby Times reports.

Born in Bolton, Gwen was introduced to the theatre and arts scene in Manchester by her parents where she saw some of the world’s great actors perform and enjoyed a meeting with Sir Laurence Olivier.

She told the Formby Times last year: “I saw him in Richard III at the Royal Opera House in Manchester.

“He signed an autograph for me afterwards and was very pleasant, if slightly shy.

“And I remember Sir Ralph Richardson asking my father to hold his briefcase so he could sign autographs for adoring fans.”

She later studied drama, dance and acting and directed plays in Sefton.

Gwen, who kept her age a closely-guarded secret throughout her life, also wrote about her passion for the arts through her long-standing column in the Formby Champion.

She married her husband Eric in 1987, the same year they became Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton.

Eric told the Times: “Gwen was a wonderful wife and I will miss her greatly.

“She was an expansive warm hearted person who contributed widely to the community in music and theatre.

“Her knowledge of music was outstanding and she was a gifted pianist.”

Gwen is survived by her husband Eric, children Chris and Amanda and stepdaughter Erica.