A FORMER Daily Echo journalist who reported Southampton's shipping stories for nearly 40 years has died aged 88.

Arthur Taylor, pictured, joined the Southern Daily Echo from the Salisbury Journal in 1944, and when the docks reopened after the Second World War a year later, he took over the role of shipping reporter.

It wasn't until 1981, when he was just over 65, that he retired from the job.

Widow Hilda, speaking from her home in Kitchener Road, Portswood, where the couple lived for 57 years, said: "He was very particular, a perfectionist in what he was writing.

"He would write a story three or four times if he thought he could put it in a better way, or cut out unnecessary words.

"He was also very keen on shorthand and even at church when he was a lad he would be taking down the sermon for practice. Continually at mealtimes his hands would be on the table, writing out the news.

"It was like his hobby. Practice makes perfect, he used to say."

Arthur was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in 1916 and immediately after leaving school joined his local newspaper, the Marlborough Times.

After meeting and marrying Hilda, a nurse, the couple moved to Salisbury and he worked on the Salisbury Times and the Journal before being offered a job by the Echo.

In his time at Southampton, Hilda recalls trips on Canberra and QE2 as well as her husband's dedication to the paper.

He regularly boarded transatlantic liners to interview people departing or arriving in the city - and even covered an Any Questions broadcast from the docks' canteen in December 1953.

Outside work, Arthur enjoyed walking and photography.

He died following several years of failing health and his funeral was held on Friday at Southampton Crematorium's West Chapel.

He leaves three surviving children, Peter, Linda and Alan as well as nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The couple's second eldest son John died two years ago from motor neurone disease.