A CAMPAIGNING Journalist who won an award for her plight to help Whitehaven children has died at the age of 86.

Iris Walton was a reporter for Cumbria Newspapers fo 10 years, from  1981 to1991.

In that time she made a huge impact with her wide-ranging stories and her ability to get people to talk to her.

Although she worked mainly in Maryport, she was given the CN Newspapers Award in 1999 for her work on the Footsteps campaign which raised thousands of pounds for Whitehaven’s Child Development Centre.

Iris trained as a nurse before switching to journalism in 1956 when she joined the Sidcup Times.

She worked for various newspapers in and out of Fleet Street and also in the office of Warner Pathe News.

Her stories were many. She interviewed Peter Townsend, the man Princess Margaret was not allowed to marry.

She also did the horrifying story of the woman who forgot to post her husband’s football pools only for his numbers to win over £100,000.

She came to Cumbria to work for the British Steel newspaper but found her “home” in Cumbria Newspapers.

Tiny in frame but formidable in character, Iris became something of a legend in West Cumbria.

Long after she retired she kept an ey on “her” paper in “her” patch and frequently visited the Maryport office in the Her Citi café to ensure the job was being properly done.

Iris is survived by daughter Bethan, son-in-law Richrd and granddaughter Rhyse

A service for Iris will be held in St Michael’s and All Saints Church, Lamplugh at 11 am. With the lifting of Covid restrictions, all are welcome.