A former regional daily sub-editor who spent almost half a century in the industry has died aged 86.

Tributes have been paid to Roy Roberts, who worked at titles including Wolverhampton daily the Express & Star and the Birmingham Mail.

Roy, pictured, began his career as a 15-year-old apprentice on the Walsall Times in 1949, later moving to the Dudley Herald as a reporter based at its offices in West Bromwich and Wednesbury.

He joined the Express & star in 1958 as a district reporter based at its Bilston and Wednesbury offices, later moving to its head office in Wolverhampton where he spent six years as a sub-editor.

Roy then moved to the Mail, where he also reviewed amateur dramatic performances remained until his retirement in 1997.

Former Express & Star picture editor Geoff Wright told its sister title the Shropshire Star: “I worked with Roy when we were both at the start of our journalistic careers, he then worked on the Midland Chronicle, which was part of the Dudley Herald.

“He was a happy-go-lucky-type.”

Roy, who died on 27 December at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford after a period of illness, was married to Marion for 41 years.

He also leaves a stepson, Stuart and stepdaughter Lindsey.