An editor who ram a series of local newspapers over a period of almost 30 years has died aged 85.

Tributes have been paid to John Clark, left, who edited titles including the Hunts Post and Cambridge Town Crier, as well as the weekly titles run by the Cambridge News.

John was appointed editor of the Post in 1972, switching to the Town Crier in 1990.

He later took on the News weeklies between 1995 and his semi-retirement in 2000.

Post senior reporter Julian Makey said: “I had been taken on by John’s predecessor and was away being trained when he was appointed editor.

“It was apparent from the beginning that John’s first love was sport and that he must have known just about every key person on the local sporting scene.

“I think that in some ways life would have been roses for John if he could have carried on just doing sport.”

He added: “John also did things the old fashioned way, bringing back stories after chatting with friends, pint in hand, at the bar.”

Newcastle-born John joined the Post from school in 1950, having moved to the Huntingdonshire area with his family, and qualified as a senior reporter two years later.

He held a series of positions at the paper, including sports editor, before taking up its editorship.

After his semi-retirement, John covered sport for the Ely Standard and the Cambs Times, as well as taking on some freelance work, before retiring at the age of 66.

He was also a keen football and cricket player away from work.

St Neots Town FC chairman John Walker, who has been providing the Post with match reports for more than half a century. said: “He was dedicated to local sport.

“I knew John Clark for a very long period and I always found him to be a very genuine man. He went out of his way to make sure that everyone who worked for him, both paid and unpaid, were properly treated.”

Hunts FA chairman Maurice Armstrong added: “I had an excellent relationship with him and he always wanted to do his best for local sport. I would like to send my commiserations to his family and friends.”

A Post obituary described John as a “devoted partner, father and grandfather.”

He died at home with his family at his side on 10 July, and his funeral will take place at Cambridge Crematorium’s West Chapel at 1pm on 25 July.