A senior journalist at Archant Norfolk has died at the age of 59 after a long battle against cancer.

Julia Carter, left, was associate editor of the Dereham and Fakenham Times having previously held a variety of positions within the company including deputy chief sub-editor of the Norwich Evening News.

She originally joined Eastern Counties Newspapers – now Archant Norfolk – in May 1987 as a sub-editor and writer on the Eastern Daily Press before moving to the News in 1989 as assistant chief sub-editor and then, a year later, deputy chief sub.

In 1994, Julia moved to the Norfolk weekly newspapers sub-editing team, first in Great Yarmouth and then back in Norwich, and became Times’ associate editor in 2004.

Away from the office, she was a keen gardener, often regaling colleagues with tales of the progress of her polytunnels.

Those same colleagues were to reap the benefits of her “green fingers” with regular supplies of pepper or tomato plants.

A keen sailor, Julia was heavily involved with the Barton Regatta and would spend a couple of days each summer collating the results on the floating pontoon on the middle of the broad.

She was also a committed traveller and, before the onset of her illness, tackled a challenging trip to the Falkland Islands via Chile.

Evening News features editor Derek James, who started work at ECN on the same day as Julia in May 1987, said: “Julia was a true professional. Highly regarded and respected by all her colleagues.

“She was always a warm and generous person with great courage and bravery who never complained about her health issues.”

Dereham office chief reporter, Ian Clarke said: “We have lost a dear friend and the world of journalism has lost a valuable colleague.”

Julia’s funeral was held earlier this week in Norwich. Collections were made for the Big C and the RNLI.