Former Falkirk Herald photographer Bob Wallace has died, just 18 months after he retired from the paper.

The long-serving lensman had worked for the Herald for 11 years, and for parent company Johnston Press for 36 years.

He was 65 and had been battling with cancer.

Bob began his career in newspapers as a compositor and linotype operator, following in his father’s footsteps, before moving into photography as his father had done before him.

He joined Johnston Press – or F. Johnston & Co Ltd as it was known then – in the late 1960s, and became the first staff photographer on the Livingston Post and Linlithgowshire Journal and Gazette.

One of Bob’s most memorable assignments was on the top of the Forth Rail Bridge, when he was sent to take photographs from 300ft above sea level for a feature on the new bridge master.

He also travelled to Germany and Northern Ireland to cover the Royal Scots Regiment, as well as covering a whole spectrum of events closer to home.

Shortly before his retirement he was also presented with an award from Princess Anne (above), in recognition of his service to Strathcarron Hospice.

Paying tribute, former colleague Stuart Barber said: “I covered dozens of VIP events with the man, events where the weekly newspaper photographer with the low key approach was given every respect – and whose prints matched the very best produced elsewhere.

“This was a talented and enthusiastic snapper who could see the potential in every photo-call and was always more than happy to put people in the frame and, much to their delight, give them their moment of fame.

“Royalty, government ministers, leading members of the Church and armed forces, even a professional footballer or two and a few beauty queens all toed the line when Bob got his Nikon out.

“A good pic can tell and sell the story just as well as a snappy headline or opening paragraph and flying around the countryside with Bob at the wheel muttering his ‘never fear’ chant was somehow always reassuring this job was going to be done and done well.”

Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret, and children Robert and Stephanie.