FAMILY, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Bill Allen, former editor of the Bury Times and Radcliffe Times who has died after a brave battle against cancer.

The keen sportsman and married 69-year-old father-of-three spent his career in newspapers — even working in Australia for a while, when the country was actively encouraging Brits to go over for £10 and settle there.

But he remained a Radcliffe lad at heart — starting as reporter at the Radcliffe Times — and settled in Higher Ainsworth Road where he raised his two sons and daughter.

Mr Allen, who played cricket in local teams, worked his way up to become editor of the Farnworth and Worsley Journal in the 1980s and went on to edit other local papers in the group.

He played Sunday League Soccer until he was 62, retiring around the same time, and enjoyed cycling.

The former Canon Slade School pupil joined the Bury Times Group in 1989, where he became a well-known and respected figure in the borough, serving as editor from 1991 until 2005.

To many Mr Allen was known as Fred, his middle name, and it stuck with him after he left school.

After taking early retirement, he continued to follow his passion — cricket. Two years ago he travelled to Rwanda with the charity Cricket without Boundaries to spread the sport though coaching and link it to HIV/AIDS awareness and empower local communities.

His family say they have been touched by the many cards and tributes they have received following his death on Wednesday last week, with many describing Mr Allen as a "kind, caring genuine person".

Wife Lynne Allen, said: "He always wished the last job he did before retiring would be as editor of the local paper.

"He was very proud of his family — it was thought of not seeing his young grandchildren grow up which really upset him."

The couple have five grandchildren and one more on the way.

Mr Allen was known to many people through his role as editor of The Bury Times Group, but at home he was a family man. He would organise big celebrations, including bonfire night, a Millennium celebration, and VE Day which would attract hundreds of friends and family.

Mrs Allen said: "My side of the family loved him so much. He would do anything he could do to help."

During his retirement, he enjoyed cycling, walking and volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau and Talking Newspaper, as well as going to Rwanda.

Mrs Allen said her husband enjoyed his time in Rwanda.

"He had a whale of a time there," she said.

"If he wanted to do something he would do it and you could not stop him."

She added: "He is loved very much."

Friend and colleague John Ellaby said: “I had a great regard for Bill, having worked with him for many years, first on the former Farnworth and Worsley Journal and later at the Bury Times.

“He edited both papers and proved himself time and time again to be a great journalist with a keen news sense who always had time to help and guide young reporters.

“But he could be a tough taskmaster and woe betide any reporter who messed up a story. Having said that, he was one of the kindest and most sincere bosses you could ever meet.”

Mr Ellaby, who lives in Bradshaw, said: “Apart from being a boss, he also became a great friend."

Former colleague Andy Scoble, now Senior Content Editor at The Bolton News, said he had more to thank Bill for than most.

He said: “Bill was a fiercely loyal man, a wonderful story-teller and a great friend who maintained his dry sense of humour even when he was seriously ill.”

Former colleague and friend Sheila McNulty said: "I knew Bill as a reporter and a friend.

"He was an exceptionally good boss and to become editor of the Bury Times and the Radcliffe Times is a job he would have wanted because he loved his home town."

Yvonne Evans, was chief reporter at the Radcliffe Times when Mr Allen joined as a trainee.

She said: "A lively teenager with a natural gift as a writer, he was eager to shine as a journalist and willing to work hard to achieve his ambition.

"He was a keen sportsman and enjoyed the chance to report on Radcliffe Cricket Club and Radcliffe Borough Football Club matches.

"When he became editor of the Bury Times I knew it was in good hands.

"He cared about people and was still full of fun."

Sarah Hesketh, former colleague and Deputy Chief Sub Editor (Features) at The Daily Express, said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Allen.

"Always the professional, he took great pride in running these newspapers which were at the heart of everyday life for so many people.

"Bill's positive attitude to life, his determination to always do the best job possible and his staunch support for many a just cause assured that he made a unique mark on the towns he held in such high regard."

Ian Savage, group editor of The Bolton News and Bury Times, said: “Bill was an excellent journalist and cared deeply about the newspapers he worked for. His death has left friends and former colleagues deeply saddened.”

Mr Allen is survived by his wife Lynne, two sons Mark, aged 44, Martyn, aged 41, Lyndsey, aged 27, five grandchildren, brother Jeff and sister Leslie.

A funeral service will take place at St Thomas and St John, Radcliffe, tomorrow (Friday, August 5) at noon followed by internment at Bury Cemetery. There will be a reception at Radcliffe Boro.