A FORMER Lancashire Evening Telegraph type-setter responsible for introducing the 37.5 hour working week has died aged 84.

Blackburn-born Joseph Frederick Wade died after a long battle with a degenerative brain disorder at his home in Cumbria.

Mr Wade joined the Evening Telegraph in 1946 after completing an apprenticeship at the Blackburn Times and serving a stint in the army.

After 10 years service at the Telegraph, alongside his father James Wade, he left the paper to join printers' union the Typographical Association in Didsbury, Manchester.

Well-known for his passionate views on workers' rights, Mr Wade was made assistant general secretary and later general secretary when smaller trade unions from across the country amalgamated in Bedford to form the National Graphical Association.

During his time at Blackburn Mr Wade also served as a member of the Trades Union Congress where he helped bring into force the 37.5 hour working week.

He moved to Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria in 1988 where he lived with his wife Joan until his death.

He is survived by his Joan, two grown-up sons Michael and Peter, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His sister Jean Scarr, 70, of Langham Road in Blackburn, said: "Joseph worked hard for what he believed in, which was fairness for the working classes.

"He loved his job and would have liked to have stayed on but had to retire at 65. After his retirement he kept an interest in the trade unions and was a visiting professor of industrial relations at Strathclyde University in Glasgow.

"He was a kind and loving husband and brother who was passionate about what he believed in."