A sports journalist who died earlier this year aged 71 is set to be honoured at a celebration of his life.

Friends and former colleagues are being invited to remember Martin Johnson, who worked for the Leicester Mercury.

Martin, pictured, wrote for the Leicester Mercury in the 1970s and 1980s before going on to a successful sports journalism career with the nationals.

He held roles on Fleet Street including cricket correspondent on The Independent and sports feature writer the Daily Telegraph, and also covered a number of major sporting events for The Sunday Times.

As cricket and rugby correspondent, Martin covered Leicestershire County Cricket Club and the Leicester Tigers for the Mercury.

The celebration is to be held in The Clubhouse at the Tigers’ Welford Road home ground this coming Thursday from midday.

A statement by the Sports Journalists’ Association reads: “Martin’s family would like to invite his friends and former colleagues to join them to remember and recall Martin’s life in typical Johnson style.

“All are welcome, but in order to plan properly, the family would appreciate those intending to come to please confirm their attendance by emailing [email protected].”