TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Bury Times journalist who became a well-known figure in the world of sports and entertainment marketing.

Mr Barrie Gill, who died aged 68, had been suffering from cancer for the past year.

A former pupil of the old Bury High School, Mr Gill joined the newspaper as a graduate from Leeds University.

He eventually moved to the Daily Herald, where he made his name as a motoring and motor sports commentator and later worked for the BBC.

After leaving journalism, Mr Gill created a major sponsorship campaign for the Ford Motor Company and went on to co-found sports and entertainment managing and marketing firm CSS Stellar.

He was heavily involved in charitable work as a trustee of the Lord's Taverners and chairman of the motor racing committee.

In April 2000 his contribution to the industry was recognised with the prestigious Hollis sponsorship Personality of the Year award. Mr Gill, who lived in central London, leaves behind a wife Sally and two sons.

Former Bury Times editor Frank Thomas said of his ex-colleague: "He was always an extremely lively sort of fellow and a complete extrovert.

"While Barrie was a bit of a showman, he was also a very solid newspaper reporter and kept at things like a terrier."