A well-known regional TV presenter has died after a broadcasting career lasting 53 years.

George House trained as a newspaper reporter with The Journal, Newcastle, before joining the BBC in 1959.

He was initially hired to present the first regional TV news broadcast from Newcastle – News of the North.

He went on to become a regular on the regional news programme Look North, forming a long-standing double act with co-presenter Mike Neville.

Said Mike:  “I was 16 when we met. He was an absolute dream of a guy to know. I knew George for over 60 years, we were virtually family. And we just got on so well.

“We had laughs together and fun together. We weren’t just colleagues, we were very, very close friends. It was only Christmas when he came round and he seemed so fit and strong. We chatted for so long.”

Daughter Katherine “He was a local reporter to start with and it was in his blood until the end. He kept on until even recently – he used to do the talking newspaper in Brompton.

“He did his national service when he was 17 or 18, and ended up working at the Central Office of Information. I think that was because of his journalistic training.”

Newcastle-born George also wrote a book entitled ‘Larn Yersel’ Geordie’ – a humorous take on the Geordie accent – which also spawned an LP.

He died suddenly at his home in Northallerton last Wednesday.