An award-winning journalist who was property editor at the Birmingham Post for more than a decade has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 56.

Marsya Lennox was the property editor at this newspaper for 13 years where she helped grow the section to become the main platform for the region’s major estate agents.

She was highly regarded by readers and advertisers for her professionalism and writing skills and was named Regional Property Journalist of the Year in 2008.

Birmingham Post editor Alun Thorne said: “The property magazine in the Birmingham Post has long been one of the most important sections of our newspaper – both commercially and with our readers – and that is in no small part down to the hard work of Marsya.

“She was a well respected member of the Post team and highly regarded by her colleagues and contacts.

"Her husband Tony also spent a significant part of his career with the Post & Mail in a number of senior roles and still has many friends here, so the news of Marsya’s untimely death has been met with a good deal of sadness across the business.”

Mrs Lennox was diagnosed with cancer in January this year and died last week surrounded by her family, including Tony who she had been married to for 25 years.

Mrs Lennox was born in Edinburgh and attended university in the city, before moving to the Midlands after journalism training to join the Solihull News.

She later worked as a district reporter for the Birmingham Mail before taking time off to raise two sons.

She was involved in the launch of the Chris Bullivant title the Birmingham Press in 2010, which her husband previously edited and more recently, Ms Lennox provided property editorial for the Wolverhampton Magazine, launched by the Express & Star in 2011, and Warwickshire Life magazine.

Steve Bird, content editor at BPM Media who worked with her for many years, said: “Marsya was always a pleasure to work with.

"Her professionalism and knowledge of the property market was unsurpassed while her infectious humour and good nature always made the job at hand a joy. She will be terribly missed by all who knew her.”

Estate agent Andrew Grant added: “She was such a nice person and very thoughtful and a pleasure to have been involved with for so many years. She was always willing and helpful.”

Her funeral is Thursday July 12 at Croxton Church in Croxton, Nr Eccleshall, at 2.15pm. Mourners are then invited to attend The George in Eccleshall.