A journalist who reported for the Daily Mail on the 1979 general election which saw Margaret Thatcher become Prime Minister died on the same day as her.

Richard Clark, who was known as Dick, was a former head of news at the Yorkshire Post and in later years worked part-time as its equestrian editor before retiring seven years ago.

He started out in journalism on his local newspaper the Doncaster Evening Post, straight from school, then moved to work at a freelance agency, the Daily Mail and the Bridlington Free Press, before joining the Yorkshire Post.

Dick’s most memorable stories included covering the election which saw Margaret Thatcher come to power in 1979 and he died on the same day as her last Monday at the age of 68.

His career in newspapers spanned five decades and he joined the Mail in Manchester after working shifts there, spending many years at the national newspaper where he covered major stories throughout the UK.

Dick joined the Yorkshire Post as district chief reporter in its Hull office before moving to its Leeds head office and becoming head of news.

In later years, he took a part-time position writing the twice-weekly equestrian column.

In 1994 he married his second wife Jean MacQuarrie, who is the editor of Ackrill Newspapers at Harrogate.

An obituary in the Yorkshire Post said he also had a distinguished career in clay pigeon shooting and competed for England in the sport, while he also enjoyed coursing and hunting.

It said: “Mr Clark was a tough journalist, and did not suffer fools. To those he liked, he was charming, amusing, and always the life and soul of any party.

“He will be remembered as a true newspaperman and a superb shot.”