Staff at the Lancashire Evening Post are mourning the loss of much-loved colleague John Clarke, who has died after a battle against a brain tumour.

The 50-year-old, who was a sports sub-editor at the paper, was taken ill while at work shortly before Christmas.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour and died at his home in Lancaster on Thursday.

Evening Post sports editor Peter Storey said: “John wasn’t just a colleague, he was also a friend.

“The atmosphere on the sports desk hasn’t been the same since he has not been here and it won’t be now he’s gone.”

Despite intensive spells of treatment for his illness and a bleak diagnosis, Peter said John’s incredible strength of spirit had helped those around him to cope.

He said: “He was so positive throughout, even though he knew he wouldn’t get better, which was fantastic to see.

“He would come into the office and he would lift everyone around him and make you feel better.

“We will really miss him.”

A keen motorcyclist and avid Morecambe FC fan, John had worked at the Evening Post since 1988 when he joined as a news sub-editor.

He later held various positions at the paper before settling as a sports sub-editor and non-league reporter.

Originally from Slough, he had previously worked on the Slough Evening Mail, Sheffield Star, South Wales Echo and Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

John leaves a wife, Gila, and a daughter.

His funeral will be held at Lancaster Crematorium on Wednesday at 2pm.