A FORMER editor of the Newton and Golborne News, who left papers to pursue a music career, died in church after playing the organ at a funeral.

Brian Markland, from Leyland, collapsed and lost consciousness seconds after he finished playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata at a service in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, on April 1.

Efforts made by the vicar and congregation to resuscitate the father-of-three failed and he died from a heart attack, aged 66.

Last Thursday, his funeral was held at St Saviours - the church where he died.

Brian started his newspaper career with the Leyland Guardian after leaving school at the age of 16.

He became a sub-editor and in 1964 he joined the Lancashire Evening Post where he worked for two years.

The organist returned to his home town before moving to the Warrington Guardian to become chief sub-editor in 1979.

Brian later became the editor of the Newton and Golborne News, first working in the Earlestown office then later moving to Warrington.

The paper changed its name some years later to the Newton and Golborne Guardian.

Nicola Priest, Warrington Guardian editor who used to be Brian's chief reporter on the Newton, paper said: "Those of us who worked with Brian are really sad to hear the news of his death.

"Brian was a real character and loved the paper and the Newton people.

"He had a real love of music and used to teach piano in his spare time. He left newspapers to pursue his music career."

He leaves his wife of 44 years, Anne, three children and grandchildren.