A MUCH-LOVED former Westcountry broadcaster has died of a heart attack at the age of 76.

Sheila Kennedy, pictured above, joined Westward Television in 1961, when it became the first ITV franchise holder for the South West.

The show and Miss Kennedy, who began her career in West End theatre, quickly became a hit with viewers.

Miss Kennedy stayed with Westward Television for 10 years and was closely associated with one of regional television's most enduring stars – the puppet Gus Honeybun.

Gillian Bassett, 71, said she first met Miss Kennedy when they were both working on Westward Television.

Miss Bassett was a production assistant for the company and said the pair became the "very best of friends".

She added that Miss Kennedy was very well known in the Westcountry and made numerous public appearances as a television personality.

She said: "Lots of people loved her on the box."

Miss Kennedy also met her future husband, Tom Singleton, while in the Westcountry.

The couple moved to London in the 1970s where Miss Bassett said Miss Kennedy went on to "work in lots of different ways in television".

She said Miss Kennedy's stunning looks meant she was also one of the first television presenters to appear in colour.

Later in life Miss Kennedy and her husband moved to Surrey, where Mr Singleton still lives.

Miss Bassett said her friend had suffered from one or two different illnesses but died of a heart attack on July 10.