A respected Scottish journalist, who became an editor at the age of 34 and was awarded a CBE for his services to journalism, has died.

Bill Anderson CBE died on 2 February after a long illness.

A reporter on The Sunday Post, Bill rose to the rank of editor where he spent 24 years at the helm of the DC Thomson owned paper, steering circulation to 1.5million, making it the biggest selling newspaper in Scotland.

The Hamilton Advertiser reports that Bill ‘was known within the industry as being a man who could put the fear of death into his staff, he was loyal and wise with an amazing journalistic instinct.’

Bill remained with the company for the duration of his career and went on to become managing editor and set up Scotland Online, an internet company mainly known for genealogy.

He was the first Scottish member to serve on the Press Council, now the Press Complaints Commission, and in 1991 received the CBE for services to journalism.

Away from the job he enjoyed fishing, gardening, sailing, DIY and cooking.

He is survived by his second wife Maggie, sons, Ewan, Graeme and Alan and eight grandchildren.

His first wife Meg died in 1993.

Bill’s funeral took place in Dundee on Friday, which would have been his 78th birthday.