LEGENDARY BBC newsreader Cecil Taylor has died aged 96, it has been announced.

       The TV reporter died "peacefully" at his home near Bangor last week following an illustrious career in journalism spanning more than four decades.

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       Cecil Taylor died peacefully at is home last week Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

       A funeral service will take place at the Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church in Belfast later today.

       Cecil began his career at the Irish Times, before joining the BBC in 1955.

       He went on to become news editor and head of programmes, earning a reputation as a pioneer of broadcast news.

       The journalist initially wrote scripts, but was soon appearing on camera himself and developed the 10-minute teatime bulletin and Scene at Six - now known as BBC Newsline.

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       His time at the BBC included coverage of The Troubles and the IRA in the 1950s.

       Cecil later became head of programmes with the brief of overseeing all TV and radio current affairs shows.

       He would go on to commission television dramas that helped provide a platform for the likes of Kenneth Branagh and Graham Reid.

       Cecil is survived by wife Doreen, daughter Olwyn and grandson Matty.

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       Cecil Taylor worked at the BBC for a number of years Credit: Funeral Times