Tributes have flooded in for a much-loved former editor of the Blackpool Citizen. Bob Gray, who died on Monday at the age of 64, led the newspaper for much of the 1990's and was a much-loved figure across the Fylde Coast.

Born in Scotland, Bob worked on national newspapers in Manchester for many years, including helping to launch the Daily Star as chief sub editor in 1978.

After several happy years at the Star, Bob and his wife, Audrey, moved to Lytham where he first worked on the Blackpool Gazette before moving to the Citizen as deputy editor in 1991.

He went on to hold a serious of executive positions, including managing editor, and oversaw the paper's 1,000th edition in 1998.

He eventually retired on health grounds and was, most recently, a sub editor at the Daily Star in Broughton.

During his time with the Citizen Bob was involved with Lancashire Partnership Against Crime; he was on the North West committee of the Variety Club of Great Britain and on the North West committee for ChildLine.

He had also been involved with the Blackpool Town Centre Forum and had been president of Blackpool Brass Band.

Showbusiness was a particular love and he was good friends with Les and Tracy Dawson.

After Audrey's death in 1997, Bob married Karen in May 2000, taking on responsibility for stepsons Richard, now 15 and Robert 12.

Tributes were led by Amanda Thompson, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, who said: "Bob was a great friend of the Pleasure Beach and of our family.

"He loved showbusiness and was a great supporter of our shows - he never missed an opening night during his time at the Citizen.

"He and my father got on incredibly well and they shared a common goal - to promote Blackpool with pride and enthusiasm and Bob achieved that in his own inimitable way.

"He will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with Kaz and the boys."

Harold Heys first worked with Bob more than 30 years ago at the Sunday People and later recruited Bob to the Citizen group, of which he was executive editor.

"He played a large part in the success of the Blackpool Citizen and its stablemates throughout the 1990's and was never happier than when he was helping to promote the Fylde Coast which he had come to love."

Sally Fowler first worked alongside him when she edited the Lancaster Citizen.

"I was lucky to have worked with Bob three times in my career and I will sorely miss his friendship, gentle approach and outrageously bad jokes."

Jane Seddon, Blackpool's head of tourism, said: "Bob will be greatly missed in Blackpool. He was a supreme ambassador, very pro the resort.

"He always looked on the positive side of what Blackpool was trying to achieve."

A funeral service will be held at 11am on Wednesday at St Cuthbert's Church, Lytham, family flowers only. Donations in lieu to Trinity Hospice Palliative Care Team, Bispham.