A JOURNALIST who worked on the Romsey Advertiser has died aged 81.

Peter East forged a career on the-then Southern Evening Echo in the sports department for many years, covering Southampton FC during the Lawrie McMenemy era. He rose to be deputy sports editor when the daily newspaper was based at Above Bar in Southampton.

Mr East later moved into general news and was for many years chief reporter in the Echo’s Hythe office covering the Waterside and the New Forest.

The father of two died at home on Monday November 4. The funeral service will be held at Test Valley Crematorium on Thursday December 5 at 11am. All are welcome.

Andrew Ross, former editor of the Advertiser, said: “I was lucky enough to work with Peter when he joined the Advertiser on a part-time basis following his retirement from the Echo.

“He was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was a great addition to our small newsroom and was a ready source of knowledge and wisdom based on his many years’ experience.

“Peter was a very fine reporter who’d held several senior positions at the Echo but he never considered any of his more parochial assignments with the Advertiser beneath him and always went about his work in a cheerful manner which won him much friendship and respect.”