Tributes have been paid to a former local newspaper editor who was found dead at home.

Chris East, 65, worked at newspapers in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, for more than 40 years, joining the Bucks Advertiser as a teenager and later becoming editor.

He joined the Bucks Herald when it acquired the Advertiser and also edited another sister paper, the Thame Gazette.

He was found dead at the bottom of his stairs at home earlier this month. Concern was raised when he failed to respond to phone calls.

A pathologist ruled out the possibility that Chris fell down the stairs, stating the cause of death as hypertensive heart disease.

Chris had suffered from years of ill health and had a pacemaker fitted, but was thought to be making good progress.

Paying tribute to Chris, former Bucks Herald editor David Summers said: “He was a newspaper man through and through, he was passionate about accuracy and making sure the story was right and we were doing the right community news.

“He really enjoyed mentoring young reporters and passing on his experience. He was a thoroughly decent chap.”

Bucks Free Press editor Steve Cohen said: “Chris hired me as a freelance in 1988. He was a wonderfully warm man and a joy to work with.

“He was honest, fair and fun and a real character.”

Former colleague Viv Saunders, who was a junior reporter under Chris at The Bucks Advertiser in the 1970s, said: “I will always remember his kindness.

“He had a lovely sense of humour, it was very dry, and he was a very clever, very sharp man. He was one of nature’s gentlemen, they don’t make them like him anyone.”

Chris’ funeral will be held on Monday 28 May with a service celebrating his life at St Teresa’s Catholic Church in Risborough at 10am, before he is laid to rest at the town’s memorial garden.