A long-serving journalist who worked for the same weekly paper for nearly 50 years has died at the age of 91.

Derek Tempero worked on the Hampshire-based Andover Advertiser for 48 years including 15 years as editor.

He joined the paper from school as a trainee reporter in 1939 but national service with the RAF took him to India and Burma between 1942 and 1946.

Derek’s love of journalism saw him return to the Advertiser news room after his travels and from 1949, he held the combined roles of chief reporter and sports editor until taking over the editorial chair in 1967.

For many years his two local history columns – Bystander and Countryman – were a favourite among the many Andoverians keen to unfold the town’s history and that of their families.

Derek Tempero on his retirement day in 1987

Steve Dancey, head of editorial at Andover Advertiser, met Derek several times over the years and described him as a “fountain of knowledge”.

“He was a very influential figure in the area and never lost his enthusiasm for Andover or the newspaper,” he told HTFP.

“He was even reading the Advertiser on his 90th birthday and used to keep his own archives at his home.”

Derek won several professional awards during his career and as editor, oversaw the paper’s increase in size during the ‘boom’ years of Andover’s population growth and local government reorganisation

His great knowledge of the area and his work in the training of junior reporters became especially valuable when he was made editorial consultant in 1982.

For 15 years he was a member of the Guild of British Newspaper Editors and served as secretary of the Wessex region for seven years, plus a period as president.

For a number of years he was the editor and a reader of the Andover Talking Newspaper for the Blind and was also a member of the Guild National Council in London for four years.

He served on several local committees, including Andover Stamp Club, Andover Police Liaison, the governing body of John Hanson School and on the civilian committee of No.1213 (Andover) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

He was an active member of the local history society.

After his retirement he produced two local history books – A Pictorial History of Andover and They Only Stole to Live about the draconian punishments given for petty crimes in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Two years ago he moved to the Rothsay Grange Care Home, where he received great care and compassion.

Derek, whose wife Rene died in 2007, leaves a daughter, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

His funeral was due to take place yesterday.