A regional daily is mourning the sudden death of a young advertising executive who also wrote an ‘agony aunt’ column for the paper.

Chrissie Austin, of the Grimsby Telegraph, who died suddenly in hospital in Grimsby from a heart attack following a routine operation aged just 30.

She began her career with the Telegraph in 2001 and worked her way up to become retail and leisure team leader in the paper’s classified advertising department.

Chrissie, who died on Tuesday, also had an involvement in editorial, with her agony aunt column “Dear Chrissie”.

Mark Price, managing director of Grimsby and Scunthorpe Media Group, described her as a “very special member of our team.”

“Chrissie had time for everyone, and loved the job she did for us. She was loyal to all who knew her, diligent, respected, caring, passionate about whatever she laid her hand to, and did it all with grace and a cracking sense of humour.

“She was respected by all colleagues around the company and externally amongst all of her clients.

“This is such a tragic waste of a young and rising star, who was much loved both in and out of work. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.”