RADIO and television engineer Alan Wise, who fixed countless TV sets in and around Marlborough, has died at the age of 80.

Mr Wise and his wife Enid, a former Marlborough Times journalist, lived in Forest Dale Road, Marlborough, for most of their married life.

He died in the Great Western Hospital on April 1 after childhood bronchial problems caught up with him.

Mr Wise was born at West Overton, a younger brother to Bob Wise, who later became editor of the Marlborough Times.

Dogged by chest problems as a child, Mr Wise attended Lockeridge School and upon leaving went to work for the former Henry Turner's gun and bicycle shop in the High Street as a bike mechanic.

He later worked at Duck's bike and toy shop.

When the Second World War broke out he volunteered to join the Royal Air Force and went into the radio section, training at Yatesbury and in Scotland.

His father, who was an agricultural mechanic, had been pioneer of radio back in the 1920s and Alan Wise took after him.

After his RAF service in the Far East and qualifying as a radio and radar mechanic, he made electronics his career.

Initially he worked for Bill Child's radio shop in Marlborough before going to Morse in Swindon where he spent the rest of his career.

He also had his own radio and TV repair business that he ran from his home, carrying out servicing and repairs in his own workshop.

He met his wife at a dance in 1947 when she was working as a reporter for the former Marlborough Times and was sent to report on the event.

They married in 1949 at St George's Church at Preshute.

Mr Wise was a remarkably talented man in many ways.

He was a fine self-taught landscape artist and sold dozens of his paintings. He exhibited with the Wiltshire Artists in Marlborough once a year.

He did much of the work when the Wise's new bungalow was built in Forest Dale Road in 1960, even installing underfloor heating that was a novelty in those days.

He was a director of Marlborough Fringevision that brought TV to homes in the town in the days when TV reception was poor.

Mr Wise was also a fine shot and a leading member of the former Marlborough Miniature Rifle Club that shot on the College ranges.

He was also fond of snooker in his younger days.

Mr Wise and his wife, who survives him, did not have children.

The funeral was at St Mary's Church on Monday and, in lieu of flowers, Mrs Wise asked for donations to the Cats Protection League c/o funeral directors Dianne Mackinder, Wagon Yard, London Road, Marlborough.