Bash Steet Kids creator Leo Baxendale dies aged 86
The legendary Beano artist had worked for the comic since 1952.
Legendary comic artist and Bash Street Kids creator Leo Baxendale has died at the age of 86.
Mr Baxendale was born in Lancashire in 1930 and went to school in Preston.
After serving in the RAF, he became an artist for the Lancashire Evening Post drawing adverts and cartoons for his local paper.
In 1952, he began freelance work for The Beano and during his 10 years with the comic he created Minnie the Minx, The Bash Street Kids and Little Plum.
The Beano said they were saddened to learn the news of his death and have highlighted Mr Baxendale's work on social media.
TV personality and singer-songwriter Billy Bragg took to Twitter, "Not many truly deserve the epithet 'legendary' but Leo Baxendale does. A true genius of British comics. RIP"