A former local newspaper reporter who later moved into television has died at the age of 75.

Roger Bowns worked as a reporter on the Salisbury Times in the 1950s.

Born in Alderbury in 1935,  he was educated at the Modern School in Salisbury and had decided he wanted to be a journalist at the age of nine.

He later became a junior reporter at Newsquest title Salisbury Times when he left school at 16. During his time in Salisbury he was also one of the founding members of Radio Odstock.

The next step in his career saw him move to the Poole office of the Bournemouth Echo where he covered a range of sporting events and achieved a diploma in journalism from the Guild of Editors.

In February 1966, Mr Bowns moved to Guernsey where he was appointed office manager for Channel Television and he was the main anchor for the channel for the next 32 years until his retirement in 1997.

He became known as Mr Guernsey and interviewed Oliver Reed twice. Former colleague Nicky Bougourd said: “I worked with Rog for ten years and he was a real inspiration as well as a true friend. He will be sadly missed.”

When he retired he worked with the Lord’s Taverners charity to help enhance the prospects of disadvantaged and disabled young people using sports and recreation.

He also had a love of films, French literature, travelling, bird watching, archery, fishing and croquet.

Mr Bowns died in Guernsey from Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by his daughter Anna and grandchildren Christopher and Megan.