A former chief sub-editor who oversaw the production operation for a 12-edition regional daily has died aged 71.

Tributes have been paid to Stuart Williamson, pictured left, who has been described as a “newspaper legend” by a past colleague.

Originally from Coalville, Leicestershire, Stuart began his career as a reporter at the Coalville and Ashby Times before moving to work for Leicester City Council and a PR firm.

He returned to journalism as a sub-editor at the Leicester Mercury, where he would work throughout the 1970s and 1980s, eventually becoming chief sub in an era when the paper produced up to 12 editions a day.

Between 1989 and his retirement in 2007 he moved to the Loughborough Echo, where he held the role of deputy editor.

Mark Clayton, deputy editor at the Mercury, paid tribute to him.

He told the paper: “Stuart was one of the finest production journalists I have ever worked with.

“His page designs and headline-writing were always top-notch, but one of his biggest strengths as a boss was he was always so calm under pressure and the regular deadlines meant the pressure was constant.

“The calmness and professionalism meant he always got the best out of his team.

“He was chief sub-editor when I moved into the production department and his advice to me has stayed with me to this day. It is the same advice I give to people starting off today.”

Loughborough Echo editor Andy Rush added: “”Stu really was a newspaper legend.

“It was a pleasure to work with him and he taught us all so much through the years and we had many laughs along the way.”

In his retirement Stuart enjoyed fishing with his brother Howard, as well as watching rugby and cricket.

He died of pneumonia at Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, on Monday 8 June.

He is survived by his wife, Pearl, two daughters, Emily and Beth, son-in-laws Simon and Michael and two granddaughters, Eleanor and Alice.

Said Beth: “Dad really was one in a million. He was hardworking, intelligent, kind and funny. We had some wonderful times over the years and will treasure our memories of him.

“For all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family and loved ‘my girls’ more than anything.

“We will miss his lovely smile, his sense of fun and his sound advice. He meant the world to us.”

Stuart’s funeral will be held at Bretby Crematorium, near Burton upon Trent, at 1.30pm today.