A FORMER employee of the Craven Herald, Ian 'Cudge' Wilson, has died at the age of 70.

Mr Wilson, who was born in Keighley and lived in Sutton in Craven and later in Cross Hills, was a typesetter at the paper.

Known at work by his nickname Cudge, he loved working at the Craven Herald, where he was a typesetter in the 1960s and early 70s.

At the time, the paper was printed at its High Street premises overnight on Wednesday and Thursday and Ian would cycle to work in Skipton from Cross Hills.

He moved to the Crown Press in Keighley for a short while before returning to the Craven Herald in the 1980s where he stayed until printing was shifted to Bradford.

He then took up HGV driving, working for Webbs Poultry at Cross Hills until he suffered his first stroke in 2013.

He was well known in Cross Hills, where he had moved after marrying Valerie in 1970. He is survived by his wife, their two children, Richard and Julie, and grandchildren, Jade, James, Freya, Olivia, Freddie and Isabella.

He died peacefully in the early hours of Monday (March 23) at Airedale Hospital.

The funeral arrangements are still being finalised, but a service is likely to take place on Wednesday (April 1) at St Thomas's Church, Sutton. Those wishing to attend should contact Thomas Clarkson, Undertaker, Silsden, on 01535 653992.