Leominster has temporarily lost its Pride newsletter following the death of its editor.

Publication of the town Civic Trust's highly-acclaimed Leominster Pride, breaker of many a scoop, is suspended.

Trust chairman Duncan James said no one had yet come forward to replace stalwart editor Ray Hands. His death, earlier this year, had been 'a huge loss' to the work of the civic watchdog.

Mr James fears the lack of volunteers for the job, and for many roles in the community, is part of a worrying trend.

Fewer and fewer people are coming forward to get involved.

"People are focusing on their own lives and are not joining," he said.

He hopes the current apathy is just 'part of a cycle' and the tide may yet turn.

Trust members have, as yet, made no breakthrough in their search for a successor to Ray Hands who died in April, aged 68.

Despite suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis Mr Hands, a retired physics teacher, put huge energy in to the group as chairman and editor of 'The Pride'. For a three-year period he was doing both jobs.

He successfully waged a campaign over telecommunications masts to bring developments within the democratic planning process.

Mr Hands was Pride editor at the time of his death. Number 122 (March-April) of the bi-monthly newsletter was his last issue - and the trust's last full issue for the time being. Following that, a one-sheet issue announced the editor's death.

"It was a very serious blow," said Duncan James paying tribute to the campaigning work of Ray Hands.

Ray's widow, Valerie, continues her own involvement as the trust's minutes secretary. She said Ray had been working very hard and had done 'a great deal of preparation' on a new format for the Pride. Ray had made sure that his ideas were in a form that could be taken up by a successor.