A long-standing chief reporter who retired from a weekly paper last September has been found dead at the age of 63.

Lex Brown, left, retired from the Irvine Herald just four months ago after spending 39 years at the title and was praised when he left as “the best local reporter I have known” by news editor Lorraine Howard, who was mentored by him.

His career in journalism spanned spanned 44 years and before joining the Herald he spent five years with the Irvine Times.

Lex was found dead at his home in Irvine on Monday and it is understood he may have fallen down the stairs but a post-mortem is being carried out to determine the cause of death.

Lorraine said the newsroom had been hit hard by his death and paid tribute to him.

She said: “He was community-minded at heart, a great local journalist. He had a sharp mind and the best news sense of anyone I have ever known.

“He very much believed that journalists were born, they weren’t taught. He was a really brilliant teacher and a legend to all of us.

“It has really hit us quite hard.”

Lex had recently started doing media work for Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe.

Lorraine added: “He was enjoying it. He wasn’t ready to stop writing really. It is a great loss.”

Last year, Lex became the leader of the  Tailor Craft Trade in the town and he is pictured wearing the chains of office which relate to that.

He lived alone following the death of his wife Myra a number of year ago.