A POPULAR local radio presenter has died - the day after his final programme was broadcast.

Tony Soley, who had been in local radio for a number of decades, built up a loyal following with his Sunday evening Jazz Show on Tone FM.

Tony, 79, from Hemyock, had been in poor health for a time and was admitted to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital on Friday following a heart attack.

He died on Monday, the day after hundreds of listeners tuned into his last pre-recorded show.

He leaves a wife of 18 years, Steph, two grown-up children from his first marriage, to Dot, and seven grandchildren.

Tony grew up in the Twickenham area of London and worked in the family laundry business before moving to the Taunton area.

He worked as a salesman for an office equipment firm and in his spare time presented shows on hospital radio at Musgrove, where he first met Steph, before later heading shows on Apple FM, Tone FM and Ten Radio, in Wiveliscombe.

She said: "He had a great sense of humour and was really friendly and personable.

"He was easy to talk to and could always tell a story. He's going to leave a very big hole.

"Jazz was his passion. He was a drummer in a jazz band, but he'd be the first to admit he was never musical."

Tony's funeral has not yet been arranged, but his remains will be buried with his parents at Taunton Deane Crematorium and Steph hopes to hold a wake at Rumwell Farm Shop, where he often stopped off for a coffee.

Tone FM station manager Darren Cullum said Tony introduced him to hospital radio as a 16-year-old.

Following the launch of Tone FM, Mr Cullum immediately contacted Tony to run the Jazz Show, where he introduced listeners to music from all over the world, drawing on his extensive contacts.

Mr Cullum said: "Tony's love of jazz was unrivalled and he just brought something different to the radio station.

"He was a really popular member of the team and is going to be missed.