Painter, sculptor and teacher, born Manchester, who attended the Regional College of Art there, 1958–61. He was head of art at Broughton High School, 1962–74, then was a full-time artist. Key’s main subject themes were the figure, landscape and the horse. He was a member of the Manchester Academy, gaining first prize there in 1971. Key showed at Salford Art Gallery from 1966; Sheffield University and abroad in 1974; other exhibitions including Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, 1983, Blackheath Gallery from 1989 and Barn Gallery, Cheshire, 1991. Public galleries in Salford, Manchester and Bolton hold his work. Lived in Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire.