MORE than 30 friends and well-wishers attended the unveiling of a bench in memory of a popular journalist who died last year after a long battle with cancer.

Jill Neill was Richmond reporter for The Northern Echo and its sister newspaper, the Darlington and Stockton Times.

A bench in Jill’s memory was dedicated in the town’s Friary Gardens, on Saturday.

In attendance was Jill’s partner, Derran Sewell, her sister, Anne, and Richmond Mayor David Gillson.

Mr Sewell said the bench was a fitting tribute to Jill, who died on October 13 last year.

He said: “It was a lovely event, with lots of nice words spoken about Jill.

“They have placed the seat beside the sensory garden, looking towards the Friary Hospital.

“It’s a lovely spot.”

Jill’s friends from the Methodist chapel, at Barton, also attended the ceremony, along with Darlington and Stockton Times editor Malcolm Warne.

Mr Sewell said: “We were very fortunate with the weather, which was nice, and the whole thing was not too emotional.

“It was a lovely tribute to somebody who was clearly very well-liked.”