A former BBC economics editor who joined a regional daily after losing his job at the corporation has died aged 71.

Dominick Harrod was a familiar face on TV screens in the 1970s and 80s explaining the intricacies of the Budget and other major economic stories.

He was made redundant from the BBC as a result of management changes introduced by the then director general John Birt in 1993, and joined the Yorkshire Post as its city editor.

But he stayed with the paper only a year before becoming programme director at St George’s House at Windsor Castle, a body founded by the Duke of Edinburgh as a forum for the great and the good to discuss matters of national interest.

Tributes to Dominick have been led by the Chartered Institute of Journalists of which he was president in 1994/95.

CIoJ president Charlie Harris said: “He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him, and enjoyed and valued his friendship and company.”

Institute Vice-President Paul Leighton, a former colleague of Dominick’s at the BBC, added:  “I am so greatly saddened by this news.

“Dominick was a good friend and colleague at Broadcasting House and, of course, a long-standing member of the Institute’s Broadcasting Division.

“I know many will recall his entertaining appearances as economics editor on BBC TV and radio, particularly his Budget commentaries for the Jimmy Young Show, where he always managed to humanise Budget statements and economic data.

Past President Robin Morgan, who worked with Dominic on the Yorkshire Post, said: “I remember one contribution Dom made to the Jimmy Young programme, minutes after I had broadcast a contribution on truculent miners.

“Britain’s balance of payments were down the pan, yet again, and Jimmy asked Dom: ‘Why are we £100m in debt? ‘Simple,’ said Dom. ‘British Airways bought a new Jumbo jet last month.”  Problem explained!”