A long-serving boss on a local radio statio onwed by a regional publisher has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to John Burley, who spent 31 years as chairman of Tindle Newspapers’ Guernsey commercial radio station Island FM.

John, pictured, chaired the applicant group for Island FM when it launched in October 1992.

He remained a regular visitor to the station until “very recently”, according to a Tindle obituary.

Tindle Radio Channel Islands managing director James Keen said: “John was a larger than life character, and a passionate advocate for both Island FM and his adopted home of Guernsey.

“His contribution to the radio station over the last 30 years has been substantial and he will be missed by the entire team.”

Away from work, he had an “encyclopaedic knowledge of cricket” and was a member of the Lord’s Taverners charity for more than 40 years.

Toni Clayton, a past chair and now treasurer of the Lord’s Taverners in Guernsey, said: “The Taverners in Guernsey are very sad to hear of John’s passing.

“He was a tremendous character. It wasn’t just his attire that was bright, it was him as well.”

John died at his home in Guernsey on 29 November, just weeks before his next birthday.