Tributes been paid after the death of a former weekly editor who spent almost 70 years in journalism.

Frank Curran joined the Derry Journal in 1942 as a teenager and became editor of the title in 1977, after spending time as the chief reporter and sports editor.

After his retirement, he continued to work as a journalist, including writing a column for the Derry News, and was widely regarded as a political commentator.

Frank died last week at the age of 87 after an illness and former SDLP leader John Hume, who was a close friend, has paid tribute to him.

He said: “Frank Curran has been a friend to me for over half a century and always remained a voice of reason and a source of optimism, even in the darkest of days.

“He will be best remembered as an esteemed editor of the Derry Journal and most recently for his insightful Derry News column.

“Of course, his friends also knew his love of sport journalism to match his talent for news and opinion writing.

“Derry has lost a son of which she can be very proud and many of us have lost a dear friend.”

Frank leaves his wife May and other family members.