Writer and broadcaster Michael Bukht, who under the name of Michael Barry was one of television's original celebrity chefs, has died at the age of 69.

Mr Bukht, who was born in Wales of an Indian father and Welsh mother but lived in Canterbury, was educated at Haberdashers' Aske's School and Kings College, London, where he read history.

He started his broadcasting career as a trainee at the BBC and after two years working for a radio station in Jamaica and another spell at the BBC he started Capital Radio and other community stations throughout London.

After five years broadcasting in Africa, Mr Bukht and his wife Jennie returned to the UK where he founded the National Broadcasting School in London and helped to train many of today's radio and television reporters.

After doing a cookery spot on radio the Crafty Cook was born and Mr Bukht, who had been writing under the name Michael Barry, saw his television career take off, with a cookery slot on TVAM and the Food and Drink programme.

He and his wife moved to Canterbury in the mid 1980s when Mr Bukht took over as managing director of Invicta Radio, then based in the city and not long after this he and other broadcasters came up with the idea of a classical station and formed Classic FM.

After retiring from broadcasting at the age of 55 he became a part-time director of communications for Swale Primary Care Trust.

He was involved in many groups in Canterbury.

He was a past president of Canterbury Music Club, a trustee of the new Marlowe Theatre, a citizens' advice bureau advisor and, as a Muslim, was a member of the local mosque and helped set up and became first chairman of the city's ethnic minorities committee.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate in civil law by Kent University and also wrote about 30 food-related books.

Mr Bukht, who lived in the Dane John, Canterbury, died at Kent and Canterbury Hospital on Thursday.

A private family funeral took place on Saturday and he is buried in the Muslim section of Canterbury cemetery.

A celebration of his life will be held later. He leaves a widow Jennie, four children and eight grandchildren.

For the full story, see this week's Kentish Gazette on Thursday