An award-winning former regional daily photographer has died at the age of 51 following a long illness.

Tributes have been paid to Ian Trevithick, who worked for titles including the Belfast Telegraph and the Ulster Star.

He was also the winner of multiple Photographer of the Year awards in Northern Ireland during his career.

Ian had lived with “a serious condition for some time”, according to the Bel Tel.

Alan Lewis, of the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association, knew Ian for 30 years.

He told the Bel Tel: “As a person he was a gem to deal with. He was such a genuinely lovely fellow.

“If he could help you, or give you a lift, or had bother with anything at all, he was the first to extend a hand of friendship.”

Such was Ian’s standing, friends nicknamed him ‘Ian Terrific’.

NIPPA chairman Liam McBurney said: “Ian was a multi-award-winning photographer of the highest calibre who had an expert eye. He was a true gentleman and will be sadly missed.”

Ian died on Sunday and his funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 2pm in Donaghcloney Methodist Church, in County Down.