FORMER Evening News journalist and Conservative Party Press officer Nick Young has died at the age of 81.

Apart from his writing career, Nick had another claim to fame. He was a great friend of actor Ian Carmichael, who introduced him into the Army.

After graduating from Sandhurst, he joined the 22nd Dragoons and arrived in France in a tank six days after D-Day.

"Nick Young was one of the most affable people you are ever likely to meet," said former colleague Alec Mackie.

"He could talk to anyone, anywhere. His sense of bonhomie always shone through, whatever the occasion.

"He will be greatly missed by his large circle of friends."

Nick, who lived in Elizabeth Avenue, Worcester, had been born William Ritchie Young, in King's Norton, Birmingham.

He was educated at Bromsgrove School and, after Army service, joined the Birmingham Post and Mail as a junior reporter.

He would often joke later, that it was so long ago he could remember senior staff all wearing stiff collars.

In 1950 Nick and his wife Biddy moved to Worcester, when he became one of the Post and Mail reporters for the area.

But in 1968, he transferred to the opposition, joining the Evening News, first to write features and later becoming news editor.

He left the newspaper in 1973 to join the Conservative Party as its first Press liaison officer for the West Midlands, serving under the considerable personality of Bernard Ingham.

Although having to attend regular party conferences, Nick invariably avoided staying in the main hotels, where he was at everyone's beck and call, and thus missed the 1984 Brighton bomb.

After more than 12 years in the job, he retired, although kept his PR hand in working part-time for Conservative MEPs Jim Scott-Hopkins and John Corry.

Nick was also a familiar figure in local rugby, golf and bowling circles and his convivial company will also be greatly missed in quite a few pubs.

He was pre-deceased by his wife. The couple had one son, Tim, who is a London barrister.

Nick had been ill for some time and last year underwent major surgery. He suffered a relapse three weeks ago and was admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, where he died.

His funeral will be at St John the Baptist church, Claines, on Thursday, June 3, at noon, followed by cremation.

Afterwards there will be a party, most appropriately at Worcester Rugby Club.