A tractor driver who delivered a regional daily for more than 70 years has died aged 95.

The Dorset Echo has paid tribute to Ted Ingram, who was officially recognised as the ‘world’s oldest paper boy’ by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ted first began delivering the Echo in the village of Winterborne Monkton, which lies between Dorchester and Weymouth, in 1942.

On his retirement in 2013, he was awarded a special framed front page by the newspaper recognising his service, pictured below.

Editor Diarmuid Macdonagh said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of Ted Ingram’s passing. Ted was an inspirational figure in the local community and took great pride in delivering the Dorset Echo to villagers whatever the weather or whatever the personal inconvenience.

“As well as setting records he also set the benchmark for service in the community which more of us should aspire to.”

Ted moved to Winterborne Monkton in 1938 and lived there until moving to Dorchester last year.

He gave up riding his bike for deliveries after a hip replacement but got round the village using his Peugeot 106 instead after that.

He first started his round to earn a bit of extra money to supplement his income as a tractor driver.

Ted’s daughter, Angie Matthews, told the Echo he was a man who “loved life”.

She said: “Everybody loved him and he never let anything get him down. He was so loveable, just a great character really. Whenever he was in Tesco everyone would speak to him because he was quite famous really.”

Ted had two children, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be buried next to wife Betty at the church in Winterborne Monkton.