An editor who enjoyed a 46-year career in newspapers and was a “true hard news man” has died aged 80.

Tributes have been paid to Peter Thompson, who served as editorial manager of the Farnham Herald between 1994 and his retirement in 2002.

During his career, Peter also worked in Lincoln, Yorkshire, Bristol and Portsmouth, as well as further afield in Australia, South African and Zimbabwe.

While at the Herald, he oversaw the paper’s digitisation and move towards a more modern, modular design.

Herald proprietor Sir Ray Tindle told the paper: “We are all sad to learn of the death of Peter.

“Those who worked with him send their condolences to Peter’s family and the company thanks them and Peter for all his great efforts on behalf of the Herald.”

Peter, pictured, served as sports editor at the Portsmouth Evening News for many years and ran a successful SOS Pompey campaign when Portsmouth FC were threatened with closure.

He continued to write the Frank Scribe column for the Surrey & Hants News for many years – as well as cricket reports for Herald sports editor Carl Obert – from his home in the Hampshire village of Clanfield.

Peter died after a long illness at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, on 27 September.