Tributes have been paid to former newspaper editor Dennis Mason, who has died aged 79.

The former journalist, who retired in 1990, had enjoyed a newspaper career spanning 44 years, including ten years as editor of the Stroud News and Journal.

He originally joined the paper when it was known as the Stroud Journal, and also worked there as a sports reporter, sports editor and then news editor.

He was also involved in countless town organisations, and was awarded the MBE in 1988 for service to his local community.

Former colleague Carole Taylor, speaking on behalf of the Stroud News and Journal, said: “It is a loss to the area – the end of an era.

“I was totally shocked by his loss. He was a really nice, genuine man.

“Dennis knew absolutely everybody in Stroud and he had a phenomenal memory of past events.”

Always a true newshound, Dennis retained a constant interest in events and potential news items around the Stroud valleys.

He even told the story of his lucky escape in the Boscastle flooding disaster last summer through the columns of both The Citizen and the News and Journal.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 54 years, Muriel, and also leaves a son and daughter and three grandchildren.