A ‘KIND-HEARTED’ and loving family man from Worle who began his career as a sub-editor at the Mercury has died.

Melvyn Cox, aged 62, died on July 23 just a month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Mr Cox worked as a trainee journalist at the Mercury from 1972-1975 before going to the Western Daily Press for a few years as a reporter before returning to the Mercury as a sub-editor in 1976.

In 1977 Mr Cox then went on to work in the media relations department for BT and stayed there until his retirement in 2003 to care for his elderly parents.

Mr Cox and his wife, Dawn, got married in Corpus Christi Church in Weston in 1982. The couple had three children, Simon, aged 27, Jonathon, aged 25 and Laura, aged 22.

Laura said: “He completely devoted his life to others and was always a helping hand for everyone and anyone – a real family and community man.

“He was kind-hearted, confident, approachable to all ages, good-humoured and intelligent.

“He was extremely brave and positive throughout his cancer battle, which only earned him more respect.”

Mr Cox was a motor enthusiast and owned his first Lambretta at the age of 16.