A journalist who spent 51 years with the same newspaper has died less than three weeks after retiring.

Tributes have been paid to Keith Winsper, of The Argus, Brighton, who gave five decades of service to the paper as both a printer and a reporter.

Keith, pictured left, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2013, but continued working as a commercial feature writer covering property until his retirement on 2 October this year.

He passed away at Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital less than three weeks later, on 21 October.  He was 67.

Keith began his career at the paper as a print apprentice in 1964 aged 16, and recalled his mother advising him not to return after he was two print workers have a fight on his first day.

But he stayed, and met wife-to-be Elsa two weeks into her career at The Argus in 1973 while she was working in telesales.

In 1988, Keith ‘crossed the floor’ to train as a news reporter following changes in printing technology.

He wrote for its news and business pages before settling into the features department. At the time of his retirement, Keith had served 51 years and five weeks with the paper.

Elsa told The Argus: “He was my invaluable, silent asset – completely unassuming, with a compelling and wonderful mind. His knowledge was limitless and I shall miss him always.”

She added: “Keith was never bitter about his condition and only allowed me ten minutes a week to rant and rave about the unfairness of it all. He insisted we both just got on with it.”

Keith’s 50th anniversary with the paper was celebrated last year.

Speaking ahead of the event, he said: “Staying in one job for life certainly wouldn’t suit everybody – but that’s the way I like it. I’ve no regrets.”

Argus editor Mike Gilson said: “Though I only knew Keith for a short time, it didn’t take long to understand he was a fine man, a first-class journalist and a wonderful servant to The Argus.

“I know he will be sorely missed by his colleagues.”

Keith is survived by his 96-year-old father Eric, his two sisters Heather and Linzi and their families.

His funeral will take place at the Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton, tomorrow at 3pm.

Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Before his passing, Keith had said: “Those living with motor neurone disease need money far more than I need flowers.”