A regional journalist who covered the Yorkshire Ripper case and interviewed some of his surviving victims has died aged 89.

Tributes have been paid to Harry Woodhead, left, who worked at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus from 1950 until his retirement.

While there, he covered the trial of ‘Ripper’ Peter Sutcliffe, who was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others in 1981.

A long-serving National Union of Journalists member, he served as general treasurer during the 1970s and was made an honorary member in 1975.

On Twitter, the NUJ Leeds official account posted: “Farewell Harry, solid union member.”

Harry, from Farnley, Leeds, died at the city’s St James’ Hospital on 21 March.

He was a life-long bachelor, and leaves behind no children or immediate family.

A graveside burial will be held at St Michael’s Churchyard, in Farnley, at 10am on Thursday followed by a reception at Farnley Community Centre.