A former journalist who worked for a regional daily for 34 years as a reporter and sub-editor has died at the age of 84.

Angus Goodfellow, left, began his career as a trainee reporter at the now-defunct Thirsk, Bedale and Northallerton Times, before moving to cover Richmond as district reporter for The Northern Echo and the Darlington and Stockton Times in 1956.

He remained in the position for 22 years before becoming a sub-editor for the Echo at its Darlington head office for 12 years, six of them as chief sub-editor, before retiring in 1990.

Angus died on Saturday and his son John Goodfellow has paid tribute to him in a story about his death.

He said: “I used to think of him as a sort of journalistic James Herriot – he was brought up in London but he was embraced by the local communities, and was taught by farmers how to tell the difference between male and female sheep.

“He was a hugely keen golfer – which came from his dad who was the golf correspondent for the Evening Standard.

“He taught me to play when I was about 12, and he would regularly play at Richmond Golf Club.”

John said some of his earliest memories were of going to agricultural shows in Swaledale with his father.

Angus was a former chairman of Richmond Round Table and was also chairman and secretary of Richmond Probus Club.

He was a keen local historian who involved in the running of Richmondshire Museum, while he was also a life-long golfer and had a love of drama.

Angus is survived by his wife Brenda, two sons John and Simon, and grand-daughter Molly.

His funeral will be held at St Agatha’s Church, Gilling West, on 22 January at 1.30pm.