INVESTIGATIVE journalist Ray Fitzwalter, a former Telegraph & Argus deputy news editor who went on to become the longest-serving editor of Granada Television's World In Action series, has died.

Fitzwalter won two Baftas for his work and was a Fellow of the Royal Television Society.

He spent 23 years working on the World In Action series, which was aired on ITV and gained a reputation for its audacious reporting.

Fitzwalter's programmes for World In Action included an investigation which ultimately led to the release of the Birmingham Six.

While working at the T&A, he was instrumental in the uncovering of the Poulson affair - an investigation into the Yorkshire architect John L. Poulson and his use of bribery to win contracts.

The scandal sent shock waves across the Ted Heath government and led to the resignation of the home secretary.

Rod Caird, who worked with Fitzwalter when he was head of features (documentaries) at Granada, said: "He was a startlingly good journalist, in the classic style. Dogged and determined and fearless and completely committed to uncovering evil deeds.

"But he also had a wonderful personality and a wonderful character everybody tried to imitate the whole time, and couldn't do, because he was just Ray.

"He had one of those personas that is both likeable and slightly to be feared if you're working for him. You knew if you had Ray on your side you were all right."

After leaving World In Action in 1993, Fitzwalter produced programmes including Manhunt: The Search for the Yorkshire Ripper and Grandad Is a Football Hooligan.