The first picture editor of a regional daily, who photographed film stars, royalty and sporting legends, has died aged 85.

Former colleagues and the father of pop star Robbie Williams have been among those to pay tribute to Huston Spratt, who also once served as six-time world snooker champion Ray Reardon’s best man.

Huston was just 13 when he embarked on a 48-year career at The Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent, during the Second World War.

Upon leaving school in July 1943, his headmaster asked him if he had a job yet.

In a 2010 letter to The Sentinel, Huston recalled telling his teacher he hadn’t – at which point he was given the bus fare to The Sentinel’s offices in Hanley, where he was promptly given employment as the subs’ messenger.

His first picture was published in The Sentinel just over a year later and, aged 17, he photographed Hollywood icons Laurel and Hardy during a visit to the city.

Huston Spratt, who has died aged 85

After spending two years in the RAF from 1947 to 1949, he returned to The Sentinel, where over the years he became friends with Stoke’s most famous sporting son, footballer Sir Stanley Matthews, as well as Ray Reardon and his family.

Princess Margaret was another of his famous subjects.

Paying tribute, former Sentinel deputy picture editor Horace Wetton told the newspaper: “When I went on a job with Huston, I dreaded it because it took us so long to get there as he knew so many people.

“Back then, we were still doing jobs on the bus and everybody knew and liked him. Photographers were always dressed immaculately in those days. He always represented The Sentinel very well.

“I was with Huston in hospital the day before he died and, even then, he was still reminiscing about Stanley Matthews and all of the great sports people he met.

“He knew so many people and had so much knowledge about Stoke-on-Trent, not just the historic side, but the people.”

Former picture editor Trevor Slater, who worked alongside Huston for 30 years, added: “Huston was a dear friend.

“He was a well-known and respected photographer and picture editor.

“We had so many good times and both felt that it was a privilege to serve the people of Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas. Even when he retired, he still got involved in The Sentinel.

“He was a treasured colleague and a gentleman who will be sadly missed.”

In the 1980s, while working as chief photographer, a family friend asked if Huston could take some photos of her eight-year-old son, who would go on to become Robbie Williams of Take That and solo fame.

Robbie’s father Pete Conway said: “For many years, Huston was The Sentinel as far as what photographs appeared in it.

“He will be sadly missed. I am away with Rob and we both send our love to the family from Lithuania.”

Huston, who retired in 1991, was married to Jean for 60 years and had two children, Neil and Heather, and two grandchildren.

He had suffered from a short illness and died on Thursday 2 April.