Tributes have been paid to a man who gave more than 50 years service to the Oxford Mail.

Ernest Belcher, 86, of Waynflete Road, Barton, spent his whole working life at the newspaper as a driver and a wages clerk.

He lived in Oxford all his life. He started work ar 14 in 1928, and, apart from serving with the Royal Engineers in Africa during the Second World War, he worked for the paper until 1979.

Rosemary, whom he married in 1945, died in 1997.

He leaves a son Rex, a daughter Jean, two grandchildren and a great granddaughter, Laura. Jean said: "He devoted his life to his work and family and was a very keen gardener."

His funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium on Friday (May 25).