A journalist who spent nearly 30 years at a weekly paper has lost her battle with cancer.

Cath Le Maire, left, joined the Haverhill Echo in 1967 after previously working at women’s magazines in London including Women’s Weekly.

She worked at Anglia Newspapers, which is part of Johnston Press, for 44 years in total and her most recent role was producing commercial features across all its titles, while she also had a stint working at the Bury Free Press.

Tributes have been paid to Cath after she lost a short battle with cancer earlier this month.

Group editor Barry Peters said: “Cath was the consummate professional and a great character who thrived in the newsroom. She will be greatly missed by everyone here for her humour and friendliness.”

During Cath’s time at the Echo, she worked as a reporter and sub-editor and organised the Miss Echo competition.

Former Echo editor David Hart said: “I am sure there will be many in the community who, like me, will be extremely saddened to hear of Cath’s death.

“For nearly 30 years she wrote about their triumphs and tragedies in the most caring and conscientious manner.

“She was an utterly reliable part of the team, without whom the Echo could hardly have survived. She retained a cheerful, positive, can-do attitude in the most stressful situations.

“All who knew her and worked with her will remember a journalist of real integrity and a great friend.”

Her funeral will be held at West Suffolk Crematorium, Risby, at noon on 26 January.