MORE than 200 people gathered to hear tributes paid to Nottingham Post editor Mel Cook, who died after a battle with cancer.
Led by his family and friends, they attended a service of thanksgiving for his life at the Parish Church of St Giles in Balderton, Newark, close to his home in Fernwood.
Mel, 51, died this month after being diagnosed with cancer in autumn last year.
He was a widely respected figure in the regional newspaper industry, having worked on a number of high-profile daily newspapers before becoming editor of the Nottingham Post in May last year.
Mourners were led by his partner Helen and their family. Heartfelt tributes were paid by family and friends.
Mel was hailed by his colleagues as one of the finest production journalists in the industry, noted for both his technical skills and a keen sense of humour. Steve Hall, now the managing director of the Derby Telegraph, worked with Mel at Derby. He said: "Everything I learned about sub-editing and design, I learned from him. He was also a brilliant friend."
Mike Sassi, editor of the Stoke Sentinel, was another former colleague. He said: "Mel Cook was a very special individual who will be sorely missed. People loved him."
Alan Geere, consulting editor at the Nottingham Post, added: "One of my strongest memories of Mel was the day he was appointed editor in Nottingham.
''Mel was already an experienced editor, yet he insisted on driving 300 miles to pick my brain about his new job. That was the measure of the man – never too proud to ask, always eager to learn."
Donations in memory of Mel may be made to Cancer Research UK.
