An “outstanding” former sports reporter who spent more than 20 years at a weekly newspaper has died at the age of 81.

Peter Harriss, left, joined the Loughborough Echo at the age of 18 and remained at the title for more than two decades, before moving to work at the Norwich Evening News in 1976.

His father, Charles Harriss, was a former editor of the Echo and Peter met his future wife Val at the title, when she was a trainee journalist.

Peter died suddenly on 3 April after suffering a suspected heart attack at his home near Norwich.

John Rippin, who worked with Peter before replacing his father as editor of the weekly, told the Echo: “He was a really special person. Throughout the years that I worked with him, I never saw him to be in a bad mood.

“He was a great journalist and a particularly outstanding sports writer.”

His wife Val added: “He didn’t take any credit for anything. He loved everybody, spoke to everybody.

“He was very sporty and loved most sports, particularly rugby and football which he used to play, as he did cricket.  He just enjoyed being outdoors. There was also his love of newspapers that he continued.”

Peter attended Loughborough Grammar School, where he was known for achieving the school long jump record at the age of 14, which stood for 60 years.

His funeral took place on 23 April.