A FORMER director of Berrows Newspapers in Worcester has died after a short illness with cancer.

Brian Thomas, who lived in Leigh Sinton with his wife of 60 years Irene, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 14, aged 80.

The father and grandfather joined the company in October 1957, originally in Cardiff and came to Worcester in 1974, after a stint as advertisement manager of the Somerset County Gazette.

He started out as group advertisement manager and was later promoted to advertisement director before retiring in November 1983.

Mr Thomas' funeral took place at Worcester Crematorium yesterday.

Donations, if desired, should be sent to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, c/o F W Spilsbury, Funeral Director, Malvern.