Former Grimsby Telegraph editor Peter Moore has died. He was 61.

He had been ill for several months and died at Castle Hill hospital in Cottingham.

The respected journalist (pictured) had worked in newspapers for four decades, and by the time he retired in July 2002 he had edited the Grimsby Telegraph for 20 years.

He was also a director of Grimsby & Scunthorpe Newspapers.

Current Grimsby Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor said: “There is a deep shock and sadness in the Grimsby newsroom, to have lost someone who has been a part of our lives for so long.

“For a lot of people here words cannot express how they feel.

“We knew he was ill, but even so you just don’t expect someone so full of life to suddenly not be there.

“He had built up a reputation as an exceptional journalist and our sympathies go out to his family.”

Peter began his career in 1960 as a junior reporter at the Hull Daily Mail’s Beverley office, before moving to its head office to work as a sub-editor.

Always a sporting enthusiast, he became well known in Hull and the East Riding for his coverage of horse racing, and his weekly Sports Mail column – Racing Gossip – was essential reading for followers of the sport.

In 1968 he became deputy chief sub-editor and, after moving up to become chief sub-editor, he was appointed assistant editor in 1979.

His appointment as editor of the Grimsby Telegraph in 1982 was to be the start of a memorable chapter in the newspaper’s history, as he guided it firstly through computerisation and then from its change from broadsheet to compact format.

He also demonstrated time and again that a local newspaper can be the people’s champion, campaigning on behalf of local interests and reflecting in words and pictures events, however small, in the life of the community.

Campaigns for compensation for fishermen, to provide telephones on the A180, to raise money to help old folk in cold weather and many more helped underline the Telegraph’s role.

But one event above all others underlined the success of Peter’s reign as editor, when in 1993 the Telegraph was able to reveal the impending departure from office of Chancellor Norman Lamont after he told his Grimsby-based mum that he was about to resign – and she told the Telegraph.

The story earned the paper the prestigious Scoop of the Year Award, and on the day of the presentation the Telegraph also scored another scoop, revealing that the then England manager Graham Taylor had resigned.

The Telegraph had been tipped off by his dad, who used to work at the paper, and after collecting the award Peter shared the news with the national journalists in the room.

Even in his retirement Peter continued to take an active interest in the Telegraph and was always keen to pass on news and ideas.

He had also begun writing for the Hull Daily Mail again, as its horse racing reporter.

Northcliffe Newspapers Group is owned by Daily Mail and General Trust, whose chairman Viscount Rothermere led tributes to Peter.

He said: “Peter Moore devoted the majority of his working life to the Grimsby Telegraph.

“He was a gifted journalist and a natural leader who felt a deep responsibility and love for his adopted home of Grimsby.

“During his 20 years as editor, Peter successfully used these skills to the benefit of the town and spearheaded numerous campaigns on behalf of his readers.

“He was a man blessed with charm and wit, and his untimely death will be mourned by the many friends he made within my company. My thoughts are very much with his wife and children.”

Hull Daily Mail editor John Meehan said: “Peter was a wonderful journalist and colleague.

“He made friends wherever he went and his passing will be mourned by many, many people on both sides of the Humber.”

Former Northcliffe chairman Ian Park said: “For over 20 years, Peter Moore was an outstanding editor of the Evening Telegraph. During this time, the newspaper sustained its circulation and was among the best performing evening newspapers in England.

“Not only was he a good editor but he was a witty and entertaining companion, an exceptional manager and a man who underneath an appearance of exceptional strength, was also a caring and sensitive person.”

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]