NEWSPAPERMAN Brian Doel, who as Tindle Newspaper Group (TNG) chief executive was involved in the purchase of the Wellington Weekly News from Northcliffe, has died.

Mr Doel, who was known throughout the newspaper industry and particularly in the West Country, died suddenly aged 70 on Saturday, August 13.

As TNG chief executive he was responsible for 200 local newspapers and three radio stations. Mr Doel regularly visited Wellington and the company bought a property in the town.

He retired from TNG in 2014 but did not retire from the newspaper life he loved and he also remained chairman of the radio group owned by TNG.

As the owner of 51% of the Sunday Independent he steered that newspaper successfully through a major battle with another paper and received the congratulations of many in the industry.

TNG chairman Sir Ray Tindle said: “Brian had been a superb chief executive, a brilliant editor and a friend to everyone.

“He was the man who took on the onerous task of running our group of almost 200 papers and radio stations when I first went down with cancer.

“He took the group, including radio, to new heights. I am shocked and greatly saddened by the loss of Brian.”

He leaves a widow, Sam, and a daughter, Alexandra.

Under the control of Tindle Newspapers, the WWN has continued to be at the heart of the local community.