A regional daily’s former head of news known for his “bringing out the best in his staff” had died aged 67.

Tributes have been paid to Paul Eccleston, left, whose time at the Belfast Telegraph was sandwiched by a career on Fleet Street.

Paul arrived at the Bel Tel in 1995 at a time when the Northern Ireland peace process was moving forwards.

He left the newspaper in 1997 to become executive news editor on the Daily Telegraph.

Bel Tel feature writer Laurence White said: “Paul was a quiet-spoken, friendly man with a strong news sense who took pride in bringing out the best in his staff.”

Born in Salford in 1951, Paul was a talented footballer who once had a trial for Bury FC.

He began his career in local newspapers before becoming a reporter for the Press Association in 1976.

Three years later Paul joined the Manchester staff of the Daily Express, before moving to work on Today and then the Daily Mail before moving to the Bel Tel.

Paul, who was the uncle of Doctor Who actor Christopher Eccleston, left journalism altogether in 2010 to establish fish2fork.com – a guide to sustainable fish restaurants operating across the UK.

He was diagnosed with cancer soon after the website’s launch.

Paul is survived by widow Kelly, daughter Katie, son Conor, and stepsons Lennie and Charlie.

His ashes will be scattered on Lough Melvin on the Co Fermanagh/Co Leitrim border on what would have been his birthday on 31 July.