A former weekly newspaper photographer and well-known personality on his patch has died aged 69.

Tributes have been paid to Andy Tchorzdwski,  pictured left, who used to work at the Loughborough Echo.

Andy, who was known as ‘Andy T’, in the Leicestershire town, was found at his home on 1 August.

The cause of death is not yet known.

Echo editor Andy Rush said: “It’s very sad news. Andy was a proper character, always cheerful, always full of ideas for photographs.

“Everybody at the Echo will always remember him very fondly.”

Andy’s friend Barry Lee added: “He’s been one of my best mates for many years. We went all over the country together – always messing about together.

“I am shocked to be quite truthful. Everyone knew Andy at one time or another.

“He was such a funny man and we were always laughing, I remember being told of how he was found asleep at the computer while working at the Echo, but that’s just what Andy was like.”