The co-founder of Britain’s only regional Jewish weekly newspaper has died suddenly at the age of 89.

Vivienne Harris founded the Jewish Telegraph in 1950 with her husband Frank, who was a freelance journalist.

The paper was founded in their dining room in Salford and grew from a four-page paper to its present four editions in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow, with offices in each city.

Mrs Harris worked until her death as the newspaper’s financial director and was made an MBE for services to journalism and the community.

She was widowed in 1979 and her son Paul then became group editor, a position he still holds. She also leaves another son, Jonathan.

Over the years, the Telegraph has expanded to open its own printing plant and has acquired and incorporated the monthly Liverpool Jewish Gazette, which was turned weekly, and the Jewish Gazette, its fiercest rival in Manchester and Leeds.

Mrs Harris, a qualified domestic science teacher, was also an organiser for Citizens’ Advice Bureau and worked for Save the Children Fund and Jewish charities.

Last December, she addressed the Jewish Telegraph’s 60th anniversary dinner and in recent weeks she had welcomed to the paper’s office Israel ambassador Ron Prosor and the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks.