Tributes have been paid to Southport and Formby journalist John Woods, who has died at the age 54.

Mr Woods, who was schools editor for the Southport Visiter and Mediamix, had suffered a short illness.

He worked for the Mediamix group first as a reporter and then as schools editor from 1996.

Prior to that, “Budgie” had written for the now defunct Southport Star.

He combined his journalism work with football coaching for the Ainsdale Juniors, training hundreds of youngsters including Leeds star Dominic Matteo.

Visiter editor John Dempsey said: “John’s enthusiasm for life, and for training the young in particular, were obvious to anyone who met him.

“His humour and optimism, coupled with an eye for a good story made him a firm favourite in the newsroom, in schools and on the football pitch.”

Formby Times editor Derek Jones said: “This is such a tragic loss, not only was he a colleague but he was a close personal friend.

“He was well known to so many people in Formby.”

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