BRIAN Doel, a newspaperman known throughout the newspaper industry and particularly in the West Country, died suddenly on August 13.

He was with the Tindle Newspaper Group (TNG) for many years as its chief executive. In that capacity he was responsible for 200 local newspapers and three radio stations.

Although he retired from TNG in 2014 he certainly did not retire from the newspaper life he loved, and he also remained as chairman of the radio group owned by TNG.

As the owner of 51% of the Sunday Independent, he steered that newspaper successfully through a major battle with another paper and received the congratulations of many in the industry. He was well liked by all.

Sir Ray Tindle, chairman of the Tindle Newspaper Group, said: "Brian had been a superb CEO, a brilliant editor and a friend to everyone. He was the man who took on the onerous task of running our group of almost 200 papers and radio stations when I first went down with cancer. He took the group, including radio, to new heights. I am shocked and greatly saddened by the loss of Brian."

Born in Dundee, Mr Doel spent his whole life in newspapers, serving first as a reporter on the Mid Devon Advertiser when he was 16. Then joining other Devon weekly titles, including the Sunday Independent, before moving into management when the title became part of the Mirror Newspapers’ training scheme.

He later headed a consortium of local businessmen who bought out the Mirror, and the successful development of several titles around the flagship Sunday Independent, which eventually led to a long association with the Tindle group.

When he took over a majority holding in the Sunday Independent a little over two years ago, it marked a 40-year association with the paper, and he said: “The Sunday Independent was launched in 1808 and has survived Napoleon and two World Wars. It has another 200 years ahead.”

Under his stewardship, the Sunday Independent became a sports and leisure-led newspaper, moving to new premises on the outskirts of Liskeard.

Mr Doel, who was 70, is survived by his wife, Sam, and daughter, Alexandra.