One of Worthing's most prominent community campaigners has died in Worthing Hospital at the age of 82.

Derek Sangster was for 26 years editor of the Worthing-based national Christian newspaper, Challenge.

The paper's aim was to take a family Christian newspaper to an audience which might never go to church.

By the time Derek Sangster retired from the job in 1984, the paper had a national circulation of 112,000 copies.

He met and married the editor of Caribbean Challenge, Thelma Sangster, who went on to work for the Worthing Gazette and Herald, the Evening Argus and West Sussex Gazette and wrote several books.

In the 1990s Mr Sangster, of Nutbourne Road, Worthing, was involved in an action group reviewing standards of care for the elderly with Worthing Area Guild for Voluntary Service.

He became involved in youth projects such as the Parrot and Palm Development Agency, an organisation which helped set up alcohol-free clubs for young people, and later Ziggies, the Crescent Youth Trust's charity club for teenagers.

He also co-founded the Worthing Community Standards Association which campaigned against the sex shop that opened near Worthing station in the Seventies.

In 1992 Derek was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, but this didn't stop his active life. He became involved in the Parkinson's Disease Society.

After suffering several minor strokes, he moved to Ashmount Residential Home in Southey Road. He is survived by two daughters, Joanna and Andrea.

A thanksgiving service was being held today at 3pm at St Mary's Church, Broadwater Road, Worthing.