A regional daily’s former arts reviewer and librarian whose talents were called upon by many journalists has died aged 68.

Steve England wrote theatre and live music reviews for the Leicester Mercury, as well as compiling historical pieces for the paper from its archives.

Steve also worked on hospital radio in the city and commentated on his favourite football team Leicester City’s matches as part of his duties.

Jim Matthews, former community news editor at the Mercury, worked with Steve in the 1970s and 1980s and also served as best man at his wedding in 2007.

He said: “I was just one of the many journalists at the Mercury who called on Steve’s talents.

“Not only did he run the library but he also put together fascinating historical pieces using the Mercury archives.

“He will be sadly missed.”

Steve had suffered from ill health for a while before his death on Wednesday.

He is survived by wife Khosi, pictured above with him, three children and four grandchildren.