THE funeral of a much-loved former Shuttle reporter and Kidderminster publican will take place this weekend.

Roy Caswell, from Abberley, died on September 28 at the age of 78 following a battle with cancer.

Family and friends will bid Mr Caswell a fond farewell at St Mary’s Church in Abberley at 12 midday on Saturday, October 10.

Mr Caswell started as a trainee reporter on the Kidderminster Shuttle in 1956 before moving on to the Kidderminster Times – where he became chief reporter – prior to the two papers merging.

He married his beloved wife Evelyn in May 1961 and they had one daughter Jayne. Mrs Caswell sadly died in 2009.

The couple moved into the pub trade when they took over The Leopard in 1965. They later ran The Green Man and Still, The Royal Oak, The Boars Head, The Gate Hangs Well, The Swan, The Railway Train, The New Inn and The Chester Tavern.

Any enquiries about the funeral can be made to B Ince Funeral Directors in Bewdley on 01299 403105.