A weekly editor turned novelist who also worked in an atomic weapons research station has died aged 79.

Tributes have been paid to Ken Dykes, who edited the Andover Advertiser for seven years until ill health forced him to retire.

Prior to taking up the position at the Advertiser, he had spent more than 20 years at its nearby sister title the Basingstoke Gazette.

At the Gazette, he held roles including chief reporter, assistant advertising manager, news editor and deputy editor.

Ken was born in Basingstoke three years before the outbreak of the Second World War, and was forced to move home as a child when his family home was destroyed by bombing in 1940.

Aged 11 he won a grammar school scholarship and worked on a farm after finishing his studies.

He then spent time as a factory welder and worked at an atomic weapons research station before taking up a career in journalism.

He edited the Advertiser between 1989 and 1996, when he retired after undertaking three open heart operations.

His first autobiographical novel, Country Capers, was self-published two years ago and was followed up with a second book, Joby’s War.

Joe Scicluna, his successor as editor of the Advertiser, told the paper: “Ken was an editor of great talent and integrity, who used his vast experience to take the paper forward and maintain its long tradition of being at the heart of the community.

“This, coupled to his generosity of spirit, wit and great sense of fair play earned him the respect and affection of readers and colleagues alike.

“He was a man of immense character, warmth and fun and I, along with so many others, will miss him greatly.”

Outside work and writing, Ken enjoyed fishing, golf, horses, natural history and the countryside.

He is survived by wife Wendy, a son, a daughter and three granddaughters.