by Trevor Sturgess

Martin Jackson, a leading figure in Kent and national media, has died after a long illness. He was 75.

Mr Jackson, from Hawkhurst, was a founding director of Television South (TVS), the television broadcaster for Kent and the South East before ITV Meridian won the franchise. He was a key figure behind the development of the Maidstone Studios which continue to play a key role in television and media to this day.

He was a journalist for 60 years and spent 21 years in Fleet Street, working for the Daily Express, where he was Radio and TV Editor, before moving to a similar role at Daily Mail. He also contributed to The Times, The Independent, the Mail on Sunday and the Evening Standard.

He edited Broadcast Magazine, and was a regular panellist on ATV's original New Faces and BBC Radio 4's "The News Quiz".

He was committed to the growth of film and television production in Kent and was a director of Southern Screen Commission and founder of Screen South.

He wrote a media column for the KM Group monthly Kent Business for more than 15 years and was its longest-serving contributor. Mr Jackson was also a member of Kent TV advisory board.

Trevor Sturgess, business editor of the KM Group, said. "Martin was a talented journalist who never missed a deadline in all the many years he wrote for Kent Business. Even when he was in hospital, he was dictating his column from his bed.

"He enjoyed an amazing career, and had a fund of stories about show business people he had met. He was a towering figure in Kent's media scene, and his knowledge and insights will be greatly missed. Our sympathy goes out to his family at this sad time."

He leaves a widow Maureen - they had been together for 43 years - three daughters, one grandson and a second on the way.