A deputy sports editor has lost a seven-month battle with cancer aged just 50.

Simon Meeks, of Sheffield daily The Star, died on Saturday at a hospice near the South Yorkshire city.

Despite his illness Simon retained his dignity and sense of humour while always remembering the emotional effect his cancer was having on others.

Assistant editor Bob Westerdale said: "Everybody was humbled by Simon's fortitude over the past few months and we will all miss him.

"Our thoughts go out to his wife and family, whom he loved dearly."

Simon was synonymous with the sporting scene around Sheffield, covering Barnsley FC for many years as well as boxing and basketball.

He had a distinctive and unorthodox writing style, crafting intelligent and well-informed stories, making him well-respected throughout the local sporting scene.

Barnsley's manager Simon Davey and owner Patrick Cryne had both asked to be kept abreast of Simon's condition as he battled cancer.

In the Sheffield boxing community, former-world champions Johnny Nelson and Clinton Woods, trainer Glyn Rhodes, promoter Dennis Hobson and coach Brendan Ingle told The Star they were saddened by his death.

Simon was born in Norwich and studied journalism at Richmond College, Sheffield, after which he started working on the sports desk of the Sheffield Morning Telegraph in 1985. After the paper's closure he joined The Star and Green Un.

He is survived by his wife Helen, children Emily and Joe, and stepsons Alex and Chris. The funeral takes place at 3pm on 27 July at Hutcliffe Wood cemetery, in Sheffield.

Simon (right) with legendary boxing coach Brendan Ingle