A CITY centre newsagent who lost his battle against cancer has been remembered by friends and family.

Bill Jackson, who ran the Magazine Shop, near the railway station in Fishergate, for 37 years, died aged 70, on November 2.

A former policeman, Bill acquired the shop in 1963 and for the best part of next four decades rose before dawn to supply papers, tobacco and confectionary to the city's workers.

Four years ago Mr Jackson retired and son, Simon, took over the family business.

"Dad loved the thriving atmosphere of the shop," he said.

Mr Jackson had researched the history of the shop and found that it had been trading since 1902, when it was known to sell 'exotic herbs and spices'.

The shop was the first in Preston to offer magazines and gained a county-wide reputation for its range of titles, it was this Bill strived to build on.

A second branch of the Magazine Shop was opened in the St George's shopping centre in 1964, when Mr Jackson was the first to sign a tenancy in the then new centre. it closed earlier this year.

Many of Mr Jackson's customers became his friends. Howard Hammersley, 66, of Blackpool Road, Ashton, said: "Bill was a people person, it was always a pleasure to call in the shop and have a chat.

"It became part of my routine to visit the shop, he ran a business which is very rare in the city centre now, a family-run concern that puts the customer first."

Mr Jackson's funeral service was held at St Mary's Church, Penwortham, on Monday. The shop was closed for the day as a mark of respect.

As well as Simon, Mr Jackson leaves a wife, Win, and another son David.