An editor who ran a weekly newspaper for 16 years and was also a crime fiction author has dies aged 90.

Tributes have been paid to Anthony Price, left, who worked for the Oxford Mail and Oxford Times for well over 30 years and edited the latter from 1972 to 1988.

Anthony was also a book reviewer for the Mail and published several spy novels himself, winning the prestigious Gold Dagger prize for the best crime text of 1974.

As Times editor, he oversaw huge technological change, known for his “outstanding” contacts list and unmatched knowledge of Oxford.

Former Oxford Mail editor Terry Page said: “At the time, the Oxford Times was the voice of Oxford and the voice of Oxford was Tony Price.”

Born in Hertfordshire, he attended Merton College, Oxford, from which he graduated with an MA in history.

Anthony began his career straight after university, where he initially subbed the copy and worked as a court reporter.

His obituary published in the Mail retells the story of his interview with an Oxford academic who would go on to become one of the most revered children’s writers in the world.

“One day, he was asked to review a text that had been derided for being ‘too boring’ by one children’s reviewer. Mr Price went to interview the book’s author, a man called J.R.R. Tolkien, to talk about the novel: The Fellowship of the Ring.”

Anthony was married to Ann, who died in 2012, and the couple had three children – James, Simon and Kate.

He died suddenly on 30 May and is survived by his children and five grandchildren. His funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday 2 July at Kemnal Park Cemetery, in London.