A former journalist who worked as a regional daily’s business editor for 25 years has died at the age of 79.

John Stone was the Leicester Mercury’s first business editor and held the role until 1995, when he went on to set up his own public relations firm which represented companies across the county.

During his career, he also worked as a journalist at the Derby Telegraph and a press officer at Rolls-Royce in Derby.

Tributes have been paid after John died at Leicester Royal Infirmary following a long battle with the blood disorder myelofibrosis.

John Stone, right, is pictured with colleagues at the Leicester Mercury on his departure from the title.

Louisa Bayley, who joined John on the business desk in 1988 and later succeeded him as business editor, penned a story about his death.

“In the seven years we worked together, there was rarely a dull moment. When the heat was on, John’s barrage of witty one-liners succeeded in lightening the mood.” she wrote.

“He would charm his way past the most protective and obstructive of personal secretaries to reach the chairman or managing director and nail the story. He always aimed to be first with the news.”

John’s widow Diane told the Mercury that he was in good spirits right up to his death.

She said: “Up until a few months ago, he was writing articles for the Welsh Guards’ magazine. He always had a good nose for a story.”

John joined the Welsh Guards at the age of 18 and received a medal after seeing action in the first Suez emergency of the early 1950s.

He was a keen cyclist and rode from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 1982 to raise money for Leicester Royal Infirmary. He also enjoyed singing with band J for Jazz and playing the double bass.

John leaves wife Diane, three children, a stepdaughter and four grandchildren.