MORE than 100 relatives, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to “a great newspaperman with huge production skills".

A memorial service to Brian Paine, a former senior editor with the Kent Messenger Group, was held at All Saints' Church, Woodchurch, near Tenterden.

Mr Paine died suddenly in Spain last month at the age of 65, just two years after his retirement. He had previously lived in Tenterden, Woodchurch and Ashford.

Mr Paine held a number of jobs with the KMG, most recently at its headquarters in Larkfield where he was responsible for specialist publications such as the What’s On magazine, Kent Business, and Home and Motor.

The service featured Death is Nothing at All, a poem by Henry Scott Holland, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, a Diana Ross song and favourite of Mr Paine’s, sung by a four gospel singers.

Publisher Paul Smith, a close friend and colleague, gave the dedication. He said Mr Paine was a great newspaperman with a keen news sense, huge production skills and total commitment to the job.

“He knew how to display a story and feature to make them attractive to the reader and above all he understood that the name of our game is to provide a good read."

He added: “Brian was good at his job. He had talent in abundance, he was a loyal and true friend. Brian William Paine was one of the best.”

The service was attended by Mr Paine’s widow Pam, who flew in from Spain, his two sons, Adrian and Christopher, and his grand-children. It was conducted by Father Dominic Madzimure.