A journalist who once laid claim to being the youngest editor of any paid-for weekly newspaper in the country has died aged 62.

Tributes have been paid to Jeremy Williams, left, who took charge at the Weston Mercury at the age of 24.

Jeremy went on to hold the Somerset paper’s editorship for seven years and also met his wife, fellow journalist Janet, while working there.

He left the industry to become public relations manager and then corporate affairs director at Bristol Water.

In 1986, Jeremy became a magistrate and served as a justice of the peace for many years.

Janet told the Mercury: “He was a great believer in justice and always believed truth would triumph in the end.

“One of his joys as a magistrate was to sanction adoptions. He always believed every child was entitled to have a good start in life with a loving family.

“Outside of work Jeremy enjoyed cycling with the Weston Wheelers and close friends, but he was, above all, a family man and was proud of his three children’s achievements.

“Gemma, Gregg and Jessica have all gained degrees and work within fields he believed were important: television, the police and the law.”

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Jeremy moved to Weston-super-Mare at the age of 13 with his mother Thora.

Four years later he left school and secured a junior reporter job on the Mercury. His funeral was held last month.