A MEMORIAL service for Michael Rowntree, general manager of the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times from 1951 to 1967, is being held today.

Mr Rowntree, who recently died aged 88, also spent 60 years with Oxfam, including a spell as chairman, and helped shape the health service in Oxfordshire.

The service is being held at Friargate Meeting House, in York at 2pm.

A spokesman for Oxfam said: "Mr Rowntree played a very important part in our history and a lot of staff, past and present, will be attending."