The Banbury Guardian is mourning the loss of its former editor who died on Christmas Eve after a three-year battle with cancer.

Paul Bithell was just 44 when he died from a brain tumour.

He was first diagnosed in 1999, when he became ill at a swimming pool in Aylesbury as he was training for the Banbury Triathlon.

His colleagues have paid tribute, describing him as “charismatic, ambitious, generous, hard working and inspirational.”

He had many achievements in his life including seeing the newspaper win the EMAP Newspaper of the Year award after only nine months with him in charge.

He also co-started the Banbury Business of the Year awards, which are now in their sixth year.

Paul also took the courageous decision to write about his experiences of battling with cancer, his most recent article appearing last May, when he described himself as being lucky.

The piece was written three years on from his first diagnosis, when he was given only months to live.

He wrote: “Lucky. Some might not think so. I do. Lucky to be here three years on after I was given a gloomy prognosis by surgeons who had discovered a brain tumour they called a ‘beastie’.”

He also praised his friends and family who supported him through his illness.