Former Bradford Telegraph & Argus journalist, Don Alred MBE, has died aged 81 following a short illness.

Don joined the paper in 1937 as a cub reporter, aged 16, and remained for 49 years until his retirement in 1986, during which time he became known as "a T&A legend".

As a sports writer, Don covered Bradford City FC for 26 years and Odsal Speedway, and also spent 25 years as a crime reporter.

He later moved on to work on the newsdesk, initially as deputy news editor and later as news editor.

Former T&A chief photographer Dennis Flatt was a close friend with Don. He said: "He was a joy to work with. He was a kind and gentle man who remained young at heart to the end.

"Although he ran a newsroom which sometimes had some difficult people in it, I never remember him losing his temper. During his years as crime reporter we were highly respected by his police contacts, who trusted him implicitly."

David Swallow, former T&A business editor and Yorkshire cricket reporter said: "Don was a very special man, as a colleague and personal friend. I like to think we were a good newsdesk team due to his wide local knowledge and experience and sense of humour. He always had a smile, even at 7am when the working day was beginning."

Don continued his association with the paper after his retirement by coordinating the Yorkshire Observer's team of correspondents and organising photographs and prizes for the annual Holiday Snapshots competition.

He described his MBE in the 1987 New Year honours as "an honour not only for myself but also for the T&A and all my journalist friends".

Don is survived by his widow Renee, two sons, a daughter, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His other daughter, Barbara, died some years ago.

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