A former editor of the Cheadle Post and Times has died suddenly at the age of 45.

John Capper was found dead on Friday evening, and a post mortem examination is being carried out to establish the cause of death.

John worked at the Northcliffe weekly paper under its previous owners, Hill Brothers, and was also responsible for editing the Uttoxeter Post and Times.

He joined the company in the mid-1970s as a junior reporter, and rose through the ranks to take his spot as editor.

Since leaving he had worked as a press officer for Uttoxeter MP Janet Dean.

Post and Times columnist Bob Hall, who worked alongside John for many years, said: "He was a wonderful character. He was held in high esteem, and was meticulous in his journalism and in his local government work.

"We worked well as a team, and we all felt comfortable with John.

"He was sincere in his writing, and was one of the good old-style journalists."

John had also worked as a parish councillor for Checkley, and was a school governor for Tean's Greatwood Primary School.

He was devoted to his family, especially to his brother Richard and his daughter Natalie.

Natalie said: "He was the best dad in the world, and we'll all miss him. He had been ill for a while, but his death still came as a shock."