BILL Baldock, who began a long career in journalism at the Argus' sister paper, the Free Press, died aged 68.

Born in London, Mr Baldock moved with his family to Pontypool at the age of three, and attended the then West Mon Grammar School before studying modern languages at Aberystwyth University, which led to him teaching French and German for a short time.

Having decided teaching was not for him, Mr Baldock secured an interview with the then editor of the Free Press, Jack Salter, who gave him his first job as a reporter, a position in which he remained for around ten years.

A move to the Western Mail's Newport office followed, then Bill was promoted to chief reporter and moved to the Cardiff office before he left to take up a job as chief reporter on the Abergavenny Chronicle in 1982.

He stayed with the Chronicle, eventually becoming deputy editor, until he was diagnosed with cancer in September 2000.

He lived in Blaenavon for the past 45 years and was a great supporter, for 30 years, of the town band in which both his sons played. Although he never played himself, for much of that time Mr Baldock was the band's chairman or secretary.

Mr Baldock is survived by his widow, Joan, two sons, Andrew and Julian, and four grandchildren. Andrew, who lives in Llansoy, followed his father into journalism and worked for a time at the Argus, while Julian took his mother's lead into nursing. He lives at Llanover.

A funeral service, at which the Blaenavon Town Band played, was held yesterday at St Peter's Church, Blaenavon, followed by burial in Varteg cemetery. Donations were requested in lieu of flowers for St David's Foundation.