A regional press photographer who also served as a lifeboat crew member has died suddenly aged 63.

Tributes have been paid to Alistair Mawhinney, left, who worked for the Larne Gazette prior to its closure in 2011.

In more recent years, Alistair worked as a freelance for the Larne Times.

Alistair died suddenly at Antrim Hospital on Wednesday, and his funeral was held in Larne on Saturday.

Times group editor Valerie Martin has offered her condolences to his family.

She said: “Alistair was such a well-known figure throughout the East Antrim area and beyond and his sudden passing on Wednesday was a shock not just to his colleagues at the Larne Times but many people in the community.

“Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”

According to an obituary by the Times, Alistair was a “familiar face” at Larne Football Club matches and was also a member of the town’s RNLI lifeboat crew, where he served as deputy launching authority and station press officer.

He is survived by daughter Michelle, son Derek and granddaughter Alex.