MADAM, I was sorry to read in the Ross Gazette of the passing of your former editor Roger Hicks.

I was a journalist on the Gazette between 1971 and 1986 and I can honestly say that Roger was one of the most hardworking and conscientious I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

He loved Ross and its paper and was proud of the latter's role in the life of the town and surrounding villages.

The number of tasks he carried out and the hours he worked was mind boggling.

My immediate boss at the time was Martin Morris MBE, a superb journalist whose work ethic was also unbelievable.

But for the efforts, over many years, of those two men, I'm not sure the Ross Gazette would have survived at a time when papers were dying.

I am delighted to see you are still going strong. Kee up the good work.

Nigel Heins,

Hereford