The death of 'Superman' actor Christopher Reeve resulted in the regional press covering the tragedy in its own inimitable way.

The Burton Mail was inventive enough to send a reporter out to find out who locals would like to play the caped hero after the death of the wheelchair-bound actor, crippled after a horse-riding accident.

Unfortunately, the reporter they sent on the vox-pop was Jonathan Horsfall.

News editor Steve Doohan said: "We really do have a reporter called Jonathan Horsfall who wrote a bylined piece on the death of the Superman star.

"Sadly, we did not spot the unfortunate coincidence of Jon's surname and the unfortunate incident by which Mr Reeve came by the injuries which left him paralysed and, ultimately, to his untimely death.

"I suppose it's just one of those unfortunate coincidences which crop up from time to time and absolutely no offence was intended. The lad can't help his name but we've been left a bit red-faced!"

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk