A former regional editor has died after a five-year battle against cancer.

Tributes have been paid to Paul Taylor, left, who worked on newspaper across Kent for more than 20 years.

A former chief design sub-editor with Kent Regional Newspapers, he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and given a two-year prognosis in 2012 – which he outlived by three years “in true stubborn fashion.

After joining KRN in 1998, Paul’s role as chief design sub meant he was responsible for the Folkestone Herald series and the Dover Express.

In 2002 Paul become the editor for the Canterbury Adscene where he and his team broke many exclusive stories, campaigned against a SWERF incinerator that was to be sited near a school and investigated Kent County Council’s billion pound debts.

Two years later he returned to sub-editing to lead a team working to sixteen deadlines every week, liaising with five news desks.

Paul finished at Kent Regional Newspapers in 2009 following a restructure that meant production was moved to Chelmsford.

Former colleague Carol Davies said: “I first worked with Paul when I was acting editor at Folkestone Herald for five months. When I returned to my job as series editor of Whitstable/Herne Bay/Canterbury Times I appointed Paul as my deputy, but before his start date I had to phone him to tell him that I would be leaving for a job with the KM before he arrived.

“I think his exact words were ‘Oh ****… I think I need to sit down.’ Despite such a baptism of fire, he forgave me and we remained friends over the years catching up for a gossip, usually in a pub.

“He always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, even when he was undergoing debilitating treatment, and he will be much missed.”

In recent years Paul had worked at national daily and Sunday newspapers and also set up and taught online journalism courses through the Canterbury Media School.

Paul, who died at home on 18 August, is survived by wife Louise, 19-year-old daughter Madeleine and son Nathan, 17.

Louise said: “He was very determined and very positive about everything, all the time. Paul was generous, warm and happy. He loved his family and he loved his friends. He was very supportive of me and wanted to make sure I was OK.

“Paul knew what was coming and he was determined to make sure everything would be ok for me and the children and that we would be secure. He loved life and he loved being with everyone.”

Paul’s funeral will be held at 1pm on Thursday 7 September at Thanet Crematorium, Manston Road, Margate. Drinks will be held afterwards in the Botany Bay Hotel.