A special edition of a regional daily was printed for mourners who gathered to remember its former editor.

The four-page tribute issue of the East Anglian Daily Times, pictured below, was presented at a service of thanksgiving for the life of Ken Rice, who edited the Ipswich-based title between 1983 and 1992.

During his editorship Ken presided over the highest sales figures in the title’s history and oversaw its transformation from broadsheet to tabloid.

He had previously edited the Suffolk Mercury Series and the Ipswich Evening Star.

A talented sportsman, he had played cricket for the Essex 2nd XI alongside future England captain Keith Fletcher, but chose a career in journalism.

Ken passed away in May and the service was held earlier this month.

Among those paying tribute to Ken was current EADT editor Terry Hunt, former sports editor Tony Garnett, and members of his family.

Terry described Ken as “a hugely significant figure” in the EADT’s 140-year history, while Tony recalled Ken’s cricketing prowess as a young man, which saw him nicknamed “the run machine”.

The special edition of the paper was presented after the service.