Raymond Baxter dies at 84

Raymond Baxter, the original presenter of Tomorrow's World, has died at the age of 84.

The popular BBC broadcaster hosted the flagship science and technology programme for 12 years from 1965.

Mr Baxter, who was born in Essex, died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, with his daughter Jenny Douglas, 49, and son Dr Graham Baxter, 55, at his side.

A former World War Two Spitfire pilot, he also commentated for the BBC on historic occasions such as Sir Winston Churchill's state funeral and the first Concorde flight.

Last night David Pickthall, executive producer of BBC Events, described the veteran broadcaster as 'iconic'.

He said: "Raymond Baxter was without doubt a British television pioneer, whose groundbreaking outside broadcast work for the BBC, beginning in the 1950s, set standards for the industry."

Saul Nasse, former editor of Tomorrow's World, added: "There has, in truth, been no one better at exploring the amazing world of science, engineering and technology.

"Watching Raymond in the 1970s on Tomorrow's World was what got me, and tens of thousands of other children, interested in science, and it was an honour to know him."

Mr Baxter was also a Formula 1 commentator. His daughter said he worked into his eighties, still commentating at Goodwood the day before he was admitted to hospital.