A former regional daily news editor who became a journalism lecturer has died from a heart attack at the age of 71.

Douglas Middleton, left, began his journalism career at the Edinburgh Evening News after leaving school and later became news editor of the title, while also working at sister titles The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday during his career.

After taking redundancy from the News in 1990, he went on to become a journalism lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University for ten years.

Douglas had been ill for a number of years before his death following a triple heart bypass operation but had recovered from a recent hospitalisation and suffered his fatal heart attack just after making Sunday dinner.

In an obituary by Martin Hannan in The Scotsman, said: “Possessed of a prodigious memory, Middleton was a dedicated ‘old school’ professional who also loved life and was never happier than when in convivial company where his larger-than-life personality shone through.

“We who knew him have lost a great friend, a man of total honesty and utter integrity, a consummate journalist and editor, and a mentor whose advice was always sagacious.

“Scottish journalism has lost a real character, a man who earned universal respect and one whose legacy is seen in the work of those he taught.”

Douglas began his journalism career as a trainee reporter with the News before joining The Scotsman as a reporter then sub-editor.

He then went back to the News to become deputy news editor and later news editor, where he helped lead the title’s award-winning coverage of the Lockerbie bombing.

Douglas, who was passionate about rugby, took redundancy from the paper in 1990 and spent a year writing the official centenary history of Heriot’s FPs Rugby Club, where he had been a coach to the juniors.

He became a journalism lecturer for ten years, teaching degree students at Edinburgh Napier University, before working for a number of years at Scotland on Sunday as a sub-editor, mainly on the sports desk.

Douglas leaves his wife Jackie, sons Chris, Mike and Richy, and three grandchildren.

His funeral will take place on Monday for family only followed by a celebration of his life at 4pm at Heriot’s Rugby Club.