A former local journalist who went on to run his own news agency has died aged 85.

Tributes have been paid to Stan Solomons, who began his career on the Surrey Mirror before moving north and becoming a partner in the West Riding News Service, in Yorkshire.

Stan, pictured, ran the agency with its co-founder Alan Cooper in a partnership which lasted 40 years, and was also a regular in the press box at both Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town football matches.

Stan, who died peacefully on 1 March at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary after a short illness, continued on his own after Alan’s retirement before selling the agency to Martin Shaw, now news editor at the Huddersfield Examiner.

Said Martin: “Stan was a tremendous journalist and a real character in every sense of the word. His career was nothing short of remarkable and he told me some tales that couldn’t possibly be repeated!

“He could be brilliant yet infuriating. He would defend his territory ferociously and woe betide any other freelance who encroached on his patch.

“He could be gruff on the outside but once he trusted you and let you beyond that stern exterior there wasn’t a more loving and generous man to be found anywhere.

“Stan was a one-off, a complex character. We would be laughing one minute and rowing the next but that was Stan and no-one would want him any other way.”

Former Examiner head of news Neil Atkinson told his old newspaper: “I had the pleasure of working with Stan for many years, through my work with the Examiner. I first came across him and his former West Riding News colleague Alan Cooper when they joined me on the morning police calls in Huddersfield and we had some great times.

“Stan was a superb journalist; a real terrier who would not let a lead slip. But he was also a real gentleman, always polite and courteous to those who he dealt with. He will be sadly missed by all his former colleagues.”

Stan is survived by wife Nancy, sons Andrew and Mark, their wives Helen and Amanda and grandchildren Peter, Katy, Dan, Matthew and Rebecca.

His funeral will be held at 10.30am on Monday 26 March at Huddersfield Crematorium.