A former editor has died after apparently falling ill at a wedding reception.

Jimmy Henderson, (73), was a former editor of the Northern Times in Golspie.

He had a long and distinguished career that included the Scottish Daily Express and freelancing after retirement for the BBC and local newspapers.

He began his career in 1948 as a trainee reporter on the John O’Groat Journal weekly in Wick, and in 1953 was headhunted to its Inverness office by the Scottish Daily Express.

After a spell in Edinburgh, he moved to the Glasgow HQ where he rose to a senior editorial executive role.

After his first wife died following a long illness, he returned north to Sutherland in 1975 where he became editor of The Northern Times weekly newspaper.

Aberdeen journalist Hamish Mackay told the Press & Journal: “Jimmy was a superb newspaperman and one of the most charismatic men you will ever meet.

“He had a boundless capacity for life and was the kindest and most fascinating friend you could ever hope for.

“His sense of humour was matchless, and after he retired, he circulated a newssheet in Golspie which was obligatory reading.

“In truth, Jimmy was a legend in his own time.”

Jimmy is survived by his second wife, Christine.