A senior television journalist who started his career on a regional newspaper has died at the age of 56.

Will Venters, who previously worked as a reporter on the Huddersfield Examiner, had been head of news at the ITV Yorkshire regional news programme Calendar for the past six years.

Last year he led the Leeds-based team to the Royal Television Society Award for Best News Coverage and the ITV News Programme of the Year Award.

Will, pictured above left, died last week after a short illness.

Colleagues at Calender said Will was a hugely respected work mate and friend whose warmth, humour, dedication and friendship was valued by the hundreds of colleagues who worked with him.

Guy Phillips, editor of regional news at ITV, said: “Will was a real newsman and a great leader to his team at Calendar. He cared passionately about his region, the people who lived there and the colleagues he worked alongside.

“He set high standards and was very proud of all their achievements. Will had time for everyone whether it was spending an hour with a new trainee or relaxing with the team after a programme.

“He brought integrity, passion and Yorkshire humour to everyone at Calendar and to the rest of ITV. He will be sorely missed”.

Following his time on the Examiner, Will moved on to Raymonds News Agency, BBC Radio Leicester, Pennine Radio and eventually ITV.

In 1996 he started work for Calendar where he was to remain for 16 years, eventually working his way up to head of news in 2005.

Will worked on a series of studio and location programmes including documentaries, filming as far afield as China and Pakistan.

Away from work, he was a devoted and passionate follower of Huddersfield Town who chaired a packed public meeting at the Town Hall when the club was threatened with liquidation.

Will’s funeral will take place on Friday, January 20. He leaves a wife, Margaret, five children and a granddaughter.

Donations in his memory will be split between two charities; The Jane Tomlinson Appeal and Cancer Research UK for which a plate will be available at the service and a Just Giving Page is being set up.

Anyone wishing to donate in Will’s memory can log on to www.virginmoneygiving.com/WILLVENTERS.