ARNOLD Hadwin OBE, a former assistant editor at the Oxford Mail, has died aged 82.

Mr Hadwin joined the Oxford Mail as a reporter in 1951, covering major world events including the Hungarian Uprising and the erection of the Berlin Wall.

He rose to assistant editor before leaving in 1964 to become editor of the Darlington Evening Despatch.

Mr Hadwin started his journalism career at The Northern Echo in 1945, but his time there was interrupted by two years’ National Service in the Royal Marines.

Following his service, and after a brief spell back at the Echo, Mr Hadwin joined the Oxford Mail.

Peter Sykes, former deputy news editor of the Oxford Mail and editor of The Oxford Times, said: “He was a jolly good journalist and always happy.

“I don’t think I ever saw him sad.”

Former colleague Don Chapman said: “Arnold was a terrific chap.

“When I joined in 1959, he was already the editorial assistant and, as junior reporter, I had to cover a big strike at Cowley for a colleague who was on holiday. All the national papers were covering it, it was a big story – but Arnold held my hand and was absolutely fantastic helping me to cope.”

Mr Hadwin was editor of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus from 1973 until 1984 and group editor of a series of Lincolnshire papers up to his retirement in 1989.

He also helped to launch the pre-entry course in journalism at the Darlington College of Technology.

Mr Hadwin lived in Lincolnshire, following the death of his wife, Edna.

He leaves two daughters, Sara and Julie, who both went into journalism, and two grandchildren.