A former chief sub who went on to become a director of his family-owned newspaper company has died aged 86.

Harry Hirst was the great grandson of Jonathan Hirst, who was owner and editor of the Oldham Evening Chronicle in the 1850s.

After joining the paper as a reporter in 1946, he became the sports editor and then chief sub-editor before retiring from journalism in 1983.

Harry, pictured left with wife Joan, went on to serve on the board of publishers Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd, stepping down only last year.

His cousin Philip Hirst, the current managing director, said: “I worked with Harry in the editorial department in the 1970s and 1980s when there were six members of the family in the business. Those were great days for a family-owned business like ours.

“He always had a keen sense of humour, and strong views on the newspaper and the town. I am proud to have worked with him as a journalist and a fellow director.”

Sport was Harry’s main passion outside work and he was a keen golfer and cricketer as well as a qualified snooker referee.

In the 1970s, he published a series of books called “Day Drives”, covering places around Oldham, including Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Cheshire..

Born in North Wales, Harry was married to Joan for 62 years and the couple celebrated their diamond wedding in 2008.

He also leaves a son, Christopher, another retired Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd director, who managed the Chronicle’s printing department.

A full obituary to Harry can be read on the Evening Chronicle website