A sub-editor who served a regional daily’s sportsdesk has died of cancer aged 61.

Tributes have been paid to Laurenne D’Agostino, who spent seven years with Aberdeen’s Press & Journal.

Laurenne, pictured, left the P&J in 2014 due to ill-health.

She had first been diagnosed with colon cancer two years previously.

Her uncle Chris D’Agostino told the P&J: “She never wanted to know the prognosis. Her attitude was very much she would fight it no matter what.

“She took part in a ground-breaking clinical trial that her oncologist managed to get her enrolled on.

“It was gruelling but proved to be beneficial as Laurenne managed to survive longer than all the other trial participants.

“She gave a lot of very valuable feedback, which will benefit future cancer patients with similar symptoms.

“And so, a big thank you from all her family to friends, oncology team, doctors, carers, and nurses who rallied around during Laurenne’s prolonged illness.”

Laurenne grew up in Stonehaven and initially worked in the oil industry in Aberdeen.

While she was still in her 20s, Laurenne moved to London to take a job as an accounts manager with The Independent.

In 1995, made the transition to her dream job as a sports sub-editor.

Laurenne joined the P&J after returning to Scotland to be near her mother after her father’s death.