A former weekly feature writer known for her “keen mind and sharp sense of humour” has died aged 79.

Tributes have been paid to Margaret Rennison, who worked at the Doncaster Free Press in the 1980s and 1990s.

During her time at the former Sunny Bar offices of the Free Press, pictured below, she was employed as a freelance feature and advertising feature writer.

She also wrote for sister publications the South Yorkshire Times, the Doncaster Courier and Times Then & Now.

Margaret, who died at Doncaster Royal Infirmary last month after a short illness, was also a former public relations officer with Doncaster Council and a keen amateur photographer who was secretary of Doncaster Camera Club for a number of years.

Former Free Press editor Martin Edmunds first met Margaret in 1987 while he was serving as deputy to Richard Tear.

He said: “Margaret’s modest appearance belied a very keen mind and sharp sense of humour. Her advertising and news features were as fine as any crafted by anyone I know.

“She had the gift to make even the most boring subject sound interesting – a very rare talent.”

Away from journalism, Margaret served as director of Doncaster Grand Theatre Trust from March 2008 to December 2010.

Her husband Melvin Chapman died in August 2013, and she lived with her brother Gordon in recent years prior to his death.

Martin added: “I know that in recent years – despite not being religious – she supported the Salvation Army and Red Cross, shaking collection tins and organising fund-raising events.”

Margaret’s funeral service will take place at Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster, at 9.40am on Monday.