Former Churcher's College student Graham Brooks, who went on to become a popular and well-respected journalist, has died at the age of 95, writes Alicia Denny.

Graham had intended to become a teacher but when he applied for training at the end of his time at Churcher's, there were not enough college places.

Then he heard the Portsmouth-based Evening News was looking for a trainee Petersfield reporter, he joined the staff and began a 44-year career in local newspapers, culminating in being made MBE in 1993.

Graham's brother, Donald, did become a teacher and later was headmaster of Churcher's College.

Donald and his wife, June, continued to live in the town where the Brooks family had grown up.

While he was still at Churcher's, Graham met his future wife, Kay, who was at Petersfield Girls' County High School, based at the former Dolphin Hotel on the corner of High Street and Dragon Street.

He was 17 and Kay was 15. They married on August 15, 1951, at St Mary's Church, Liss, with 100 family and friends to witness a marriage which lasted 74 years.

After learning his trade reporting on community events in Petersfield and Midhurst, Graham became a sub-editor at The News Centre in Portsmouth.

In 1961, he was made editor of the Chichester Observer series then for 20 years, 1972-1992, he was group editor of the weekly papers belonging to the Portsmouth News group, which included the Petersfield Post, until retirement.

Graham and Kay lived in Chichester after he became editor of the Observer. Graham became involved in many community organisations and sports activities, including being one of the founders of Chichester Area Talking News.