Tributes have been paid to a regional press journalist who has been found dead at his home at the age of 39.

Craig Finlay had worked for the Midlothian Advertiser for four years and was part of a team which won the Johnston Press local newspaper of the year award for Scotland in 2013.

He joined the Advertiser after beginning his career in journalism at the Peeblesshire News and later working for the East Lothian News.where he covered

Craig, who covered the  Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Rosewell and Danderhall areas for the paper, died from natural causes at his home in Gorebridge on 26 July.

His mum Helen Craig told sister daily the Edinburgh Evening News: “I could not have asked for a better son than Craig. He was so kind and Gordon (Craig’s step-dad) and I are truly proud of the man he became.

“We can’t believe he is gone at such a young age. It was only once we lost Craig that we realised how popular he was and how many lives he touched.”

Craig, who was a painter and decorator before going into journalism, was a talented guitarist and also enjoyed martial arts and running.

He was a life-long Celtic supporter and a member of Dalkeith’s Baptist Church, playing football with a church team every week.

Craig’s partner Dawn Morrison, who is also a journalist, said: “Craig was one of a kind. He was incredibly compassionate and had a great love of animals.

“He had a brilliant and often self-deprecating sense of humour and an uncanny ability to speak to people he had just met with a warmth and openness which would instantly make them feel comfortable.

“I’m devastated at having lost him. He will forever be in my heart.”

His friend Graham Knox added: “Craig was my best friend, the best man at my wedding and one of the best men I’ve ever known. He was a man of integrity.

“My life has changed forever now and I will miss him more than I can express. We either called each other or e-mailed just about every day. I miss that already.

“I am so grateful that we had what I now know was our last hurrah on the guitars and even recorded a few tracks.”