A RENOWNED author and former Oxford Mail, Oxford Times and Fleet Street journalist has died, aged 91.

Joyce Collin-Smith, who was The Oxford Times’ first woman reporter, passed away earlier this month.

She was born into the newspaper industry with the majority of her male relations working as journalists. She was also admired for her historical novels.

Mrs Collin-Smith, nee Hartley, a former Oxford High School girl, had a daughter Ann. She died in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Her funeral takes place in the town today.