A regional journalist who also worked in South Africa hs died of a coronavirus-related illness.

Mike Dobson, who was 90, passed away at a nursing home in Barrow-in-Furness due to respiratory problems linked to Covid-19.

Mike, pictured, worked early on in his career for the Bucks Free Press, in High Wycombe, where he had the honour of interviewing comedic trio ‘The Goons’.

According to an obituary in Barrow-based daily The Mail, he described Spike Milligan as “quite mad”, Harry Secombe “friendly and welcoming” and Peter Sellars “distant”.

Mike later moved to South Africa, where he was chief sub-editor with the Amalgamated Press group, based in Benoni, before finishing his career with the leading English language newspaper The Star in Johannesburg.

He had lived in Barrow, his wife Daphne’s hometown, for the past decade.

Mike, who died on 8 July, is survived by Daphne and her two sons John, a former reporter with The Mail, and Peter.

His funeral was held on Friday, with the number who are allowed to attend limited due to ongoing coronavirus measures.