Tributes have been paid to a long-standing former weekly newspaper sports editor who was known for his no-punches-pulled coverage, who has died at the age of 71.

Former Aldershot News sports editor Peter Hutchinson, left, joined what would become the News & Mail group in the 1960s after serving about seven years in the airborne squadron of the Royal Engineers – where he made more than 30 parachute jumps and saw active service in the Middle East.

He initially began in the circulation department of the Surrey Advertiser before being given a job as a news reporter with the Camberley News.

When the News & Mail series was launched, bringing together newspapers in Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley and Fleet, Peter was appointed the first sports editor of the new group.

He worked there until being made redundant in 1999 and died earlier this month in hospital after being ill for some time.

Ian Barron, former news editor of the News & Mail and a family friend for more than 40 years, said: “Peter was, quite simply, unique. He was, in the now-defunct language of journalism, a legend in his own lunchtime.

“He liked nothing better than relaxing over a pint of decent beer. And he would talk to anyone he met while doing so. Many considered him somewhat eccentric – and he would not have disputed this.

“He was not renowned for his sartorial elegance. On one occasion, the editor suggested he clean up his image.

“Peter promptly drove home and returned an hour later in a snappy, three-piece suit, a crisp white shirt and a rather loud tie. His new image was further enhanced by the addition of a scarlet hankie hanging elegantly from his breast pocket.

“But he was a dedicated and honest reporter, fiercely proud of the sports pages he produced. It is perhaps testament to his professional prowess that many of the young reporters he trained are now holding senior positions on national newspaper and with television and radio stations.”

During his time as sports editor, Peter oversaw the overhaul of sports coverage for the area, which took in a large part of Hampshire, Surrey and some of Berkshire.

And his honest and flamboyant writing led to frequent run-ins with managers and club executives, which at one time led to him being banned from the press box at Aldershot.

Martin Creasy, who was Peter’s deputy in sport for several years in the 1980s, said: “Peter was an old school journalist. He looked upon himself as a hard-nosed, straight-down-the-line newspaper man, and that’s just what he was.

“He wrote without fear or favour, but if our existence on this planet is judged by how much fun and laughter we bring to people around us then Peter will score very highly indeed.

“Everyone who knew or worked with him will have memories that bring a smile to the face.”

Peter’s wife Jean predeceased him shortly before he left the newspaper and he leaves two sons, Shaun and Duncan, his daughter Sharon and four grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at 1.30pm on 5 May at St John’s Church in Fleet Road, Cove, Farnborough, followed by interment at the Ship Lane cemetery in Farnborough.