Vincent Allen (81), who lived in Ravenshead, collapsed in the bathroom of his house and died last Friday (November 27) at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton.

Mr Allen became editor of the paper in 1972 and held the position until his retirement in 1990 when he was succeeded by the current editor, Richard Silverwood.

A self-taught journalist, he was with the Dispatch for many years, as a reporter and photographer, and was responsible for expanding the paper into Bulwell in 1952.

For a time, he was also editor of the 'Belper News', which was another newspaper within the 'Derbyshire Times' group, alongside his work in Hucknall.

He is one of only four editors in the 106-year history of the Dispatch. As well as Mr Silverwood, the others are the paper's founder Henry Morley (1903 to 1947) and Stan Avery (1947 to 1972).

Mr Allen was a long-standing member of Hucknall Rotary Club and served as president in 1981/82. He edited the Rotary district magazine for many years.

He formerly ran a dance trio, Second Time Around, and was organist at Bulwell's Bestwood Road Sports and Social Club, then known as the British Rail Staff Association Club, for eight years.

Mr Allen listed photography, pottering about with electronics and 'home-made' music among his hobbies. He leaves his wife, Nora.

Details of the funeral have yet to be announced.