Ron Lettis, a journalist at The Northern Scot, has died.

The 54-year-old had been a sub-editor with the Elgin-based weekly since 1999.

He began his career as a reporter with the Hamilton Advertiser, moving on to the Scottish Football Magazine and then the Greenock Telegraph.

In 1978 he joined the reporting staff of the Evening Express in Aberdeen, where he went on to become chief sports sub.

He met his wife, reporter Joyce Summers, who is now editor of the Turriff, Inverurie and Ellon Advertisers group, while working at the Express and the couple married in 1989.

Ron later worked as a freelance, subbing in the feature department of the Daily Record, and in 1996 he helped launch the Aberdeen Independent.

He joined The Northern Scot in 1999, but still kept his home in Aberdeen.

Editor Pauline Taylor said: "Ron was a fine journalist and a brilliant sub-editor.

"He had a real flair for creating headings which were succinct and imaginative – not an easy achievement – and his page make-up was often inspired.

"A journalist of the old school, he knew the value of eye-catching headlines, and accurate, easy to digest and well laid-out copy. “

"The Northern Scot was very fortunate to have him as part of the subbing team; he made a valuable contribution to the success of the paper in recent years, and we will greatly miss the skill and professionalism he brought to the job.

"As an individual, he was a real character – the original grumpy old man, but one we regarded with affection. He had strong opinions that he was not afraid to air, but they were always tempered by his droll sense of humour and his innate kindness.

"As an office personality, Ron was unique, and as a colleague and friend, he is irreplaceable."