FORMER editor and long-time Kent Messenger Group employee Robin Brazier died at his home. He was 69.

Mr Brazier started his career in journalism when he joined the Kentish Gazette in Canterbury in 1953, after leaving the city's Simon Langton Grammar School, following in the footsteps of his brother who was a sports reporter.

In his earlier reporting days he covered entertainment, particularly Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre, where among many others he met and made friends with Jane Asher and Joanna Lumley.

Malcolm Mitchell, fellow journalist and Mr Brazier’s successor as editor of the East Kent Mercury at Deal, said: “It was while Jane was at the Marlowe that Robin helped smuggle her then boyfriend, Beatle Paul McCartney, into the theatre so that he could watch her performance. It created headlines around the world.

“Robin was a talented all-round journalist who could turn his hand to almost every aspect of the profession. He will be much missed by his colleagues past and present.”

Former KMG managing editor Norman Smith said: “I met Robin in the early 1980s and was taken by his quiet unflappability, desire to get things right and dry sense of humour.

“It has been a privilege to know him. Robin worked from home until a week before his death and his passing will leave a void, professionally and personally.”

In 1970 Mr Brazier became editor of the East Kent Mercury and moved to Blenheim Road in Deal. He became a member of Deal Rotary Club.

When the sea devastated Deal in January, 1978, he was part of the editorial team who brought out a special edition of eight pages, which sold more than 26,000 copies within three days.

In 1983 he left the Mercury to return to the Kentish Gazette, where he stayed as a sub-editor until retirement in October, 2002. He continued working part-time in the Canterbury office and for the past three years continued his job from home.

He was a keen gardener and allotment holder, as well enjoying sea fishing.

Mr Brazier, who suffered from cancer, leaves a partner, Margaret. His funeral will be held at noon at Barham Crematorium on Thursday, April 12.

No flowers, but donations can be made to the Prostate Cancer Charity c/o J. Dilnot Smith and Son, 183 Gladstone Road, Deal, CT14 7EL.