A driving force behind preserving Frinton and Walton's heritage has died.

Clem Jones, who was a founder member of the Frinton and Walton Heritage Trust in 1983 and its first secretary, was 87. He died at Surrey Hospital.

Mr Jones, who spent most of his working life in newspapers, was appointed editor of the Wolverhampton Express and Star in 1960. He was regarded as one of the most prominent evening newspaper editors of his generation.

He was later appointed editor-director and in 1972 was awarded the CBE for his services to journalism.

Mr Jones, who is listed in Who's Who, was also a former member of the Press Council.

He also served as secretary-treasurer of the East Anglian Guild of Newspaper Editors.

He moved to Southview Drive, Walton, in the early 1980s.

His son, Nick, is a correspondent for the BBC, while his grandson, Rupert, who used to be a reporter on the Gazette, now writes for the Guardian.

Mr Jones was also appointed as an additional member of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission by Norman Tebbit, the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Published Thursday November 14, 2002

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