A “fearless” former chief reporter at a regional daily has died suddenly aged 72.

Tributes have been paid to Bessie Robinson, who served the Northern Echo and other newspapers in the North-East of England during her career.

Bessie, pictured, was chief reporter in Bishop Auckland during her time at the Echo.

Former colleague Catherine Priestley, who worked with Bessie for more than a decade, told the Echo she “was the kind of journalist and woman I wanted to be”.

Said Catherine: “She covered the big issues of the day but with humility and consummate professionalism.

“She was fearless and never afraid to tackle any issue but her stories always benefited people or the region. She was an amazing chief reporter and a genuine inspiration to me.

“She taught me to approach big stories in the same way as reporting the golden wedding of someone who had read the Echo all their life.

“Everyone respected her approach to news. She used to tell me amazing stories of being a reporter and it always sounded such fun.

“She was so thoughtful. I remember sitting there at 9pm while she was writing the next day’s splash but she would still find time to help me with my intro.

“Her little black book of contacts was legendary. If you weren’t in it then you weren’t worth talking to.”

Bessie was born in Stanhope, County Durham, to teachers Sidney and Annie Bee, and was educated at Wolsingham School and Enfield College, London.

She joined the Durham Advertiser as a junior reporter, later switching to the Weardale Advertiser before joining the Echo.

Marjorie McIntyre, her friend for the past 50 years and former colleague, told the Darlington-based daily working with Bessie was “the best fun”.

Marjorie added: “She was clever, talented and just filled your world with laughter. She could be a tough journalist but was always fair and fun.”

Bessie is survived by husband John, daughters Emma, Laurie and Anna and grandchildren Lily, Pippa, George, Thomas and William.

Her funeral takes place today in her hometown of Wolsingham, County Durham, at the same church where she married her husband John 50 years ago to the day.