A former regional daily editor who went to university in his 60s has gained a Masters degree despite nearly losing his sight during the course of his studies.

Paul Deal, now 70, has graduated from the University of Bristol with a Masters in history.

In the 1980s and 90s, Paul edited a number of daily and weekly titles including the Bath Chronicle and Northants Evening Telegraph.

He managed to complete his degree despite at one stage having only 20pc vision in his right eye and not much more on his left.

Paul, pictured above, was half way through his MA when he began suffering from blurred vision.

By 2am the following morning, he was in hospital, where an eye surgeon sought to halt an infection that was rapidly travelling through his right eye.

Father-of-three Paul recalled Paul: “It was a traumatic time. After another operation the next day I was told I might not get my sight back. I thought ‘what the hell am I going to do about my MA now?’”

He eventually deferred his studies for a year while he made frequent visits to Bristol Eye Hospital, but after surgery on his left eye returned some of Paul’s sight he managed to finish his 15,000 word dissertation.

Paul, who now lives near Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, said: “It’s been a heck of a time and I’m very proud to be graduating. I’ve been looking forward to this day immensely.

“I’d always loved the idea of going back to education. Growing up in east London and Essex I never thought I’d go to university. None of my family had gone and I was just completely focused on becoming a journalist.”

“I wondered how I’d cope at university and it was hard at times. However, I learnt that, even at prestigious institutions like Bristol, you are made welcome by students and teachers, no matter if you are older. I also feel very positively towards the University for supporting me through the difficult times.

“I would love to think that someone who’s stopped working might see my story and consider becoming a student. I miss studying here and I made some good friends along the way.”

After starting out as a trainee at the Basildon Evening Echo, Paul worked in various regional press roles before spending 15 years producing national news bulletins at the BBC.

He also worked as a communications officer for Wiltshire Police.

After retirement he enrolled on a University of Bristol history short course, which aimed to help mature students progress to a full degree.

Paul’s particular fields of interest were the English Civil Wars, Irish history and Bristol’s role in the slave trade.

Dr Amy Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Modern British History and Paul’s personal tutor, said: “Working with students like Paul, who are engaged and eager to learn, is a joy.

“He not only took on the usual challenges that a History MA poses, but also a number of others that none of us could have expected. Well done to you Paul, you deserve every bit of this success!”