Tributes paid to Radio Merseyside pioneer

Tributes have been paid to former Radio Merseyside presenter and station pioneer Jenny Collins who has died aged 83.

Collins was among the original team when BBC Radio Merseyside launched in 1967.

She began her career as a reporter and presenter before moving into senior editorial roles including programme controller.

Her former colleague Roy Corlett said she had helped "to build something that is still here, still going strong nearly 60 years on."

"She was a very caring and understanding person and I think people identified with that," he said.

Former colleagues have also been paying their respects, including former head of BBC Radio Merseyside Mick Ord.

He described Collins as "a wonderful, warm-spirited woman who played an integral role at Radio Merseyside for many years".

Former sports editor Charlie Lambert said she was "one of the best people I ever met in broadcasting and a really positive influence when I was at Radio Merseyside".

Former presenter Roger Lyon described her as having a "great broadcasting voice" and being "a genuinely lovely person".

Former presenter Maureen Walsh added Collins "was so considerate of others".

Collins was married to former fellow BBC broadcaster Steve Voce, who died in 2023.

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