Stanley Fifield, who worked for the Oxford Mail for more than 50 years, has died aged 84.

He joined the paper in 1931 as a copyholder in the readers' department, following in the steps of his father Frank, a senior printer at Newspaper House, then in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford.

After a few months, he switched to the editorial department, becoming a copy boy collecting and carrying copy and pictures for the Mail sub-editors.

In 1936, having mastered shorthand and typing, he was offered a job as a junior reporter at a wage of 17s 6d a week.

During the Second World War he served with the RAF, reaching the rank of flight sergeant and becoming personal clerk to two air vice-marshals.

After the war he returned to Newspaper House and trained as a sub-editor, preparing copy and pictures for the printers.

He became deputy chief sub-editor in 1955 and four years later was appointed chief sub-editor.

He held the post for 19 years before becoming assistant editor.

He retired in 1981 and then spent a short spell as a consultant on a newspaper in Dubai.

Mr Fifield, who lived in Rutten Lane, Yarnton, died in the Luton and Dunstable Hospital shortly after returning to Luton Airport from holiday.

He leaves a widow Joan and a son Ian. The funeral is at Wolvercote Cemetery chapel off Banbury Road, Oxford, on Monday at 1pm.