A former Reading Chronicle and Bracknell News editor has died aged 79.

George Tuckfield was the first to launch the Woodley edition of the Reading Chronicle, and two years later went on to become the paper’s news editor.

The Somerset man, who died on December 18, 2022, then progressed to editor of the Bracknell news three years later where he stayed for seven years.

According to his obituary in The Standard, George was born and raised in the village of Stogumber, Somerset and began a two-year journalism course at Taunton College at the age of 14.

He worked in a builder’s office and then in the weights and measures department at Somerset County Council before getting his break and being offered a junior reporter role at the West Somerset Free Press aged 19.

While at the Reading Chronicle he held a number of senior roles including the group editor before he moved to the Henley Standard from September 1990 until September 2008.

Outside of journalism, he was a member of North Maidenhead Cricket Club for more than 30 years, serving as first-team captain for 12 years and club chairman for 18 years.

He was also the club’s president and at the time of his retirement at age 65 was still playing about 10 games a season.

George, who died on 18 December, is survived by his wife Sue, children Sean and Tracey, and five grandchildren.