A journalist who covered her hometown for decades has died aged 83.

Tributes have been paid to Stella Margaret Taylor, who reported on Royal Wootton Bassett for the Swindon Advertiser and Wiltshire Gazette & Herald.

Stella, pictured, became the local newspaper correspondent for Wootton Bassett in January 1960 after hearing her predecessor was moving away.

Her ‘Window on Wootton Bassett’ column was a regular fixture in the Gazette & Herald across at least three decades.

She was also one of the founders of Wootton Bassett’s Community magazine in 1971 and served as editor until recently.

She was acknowledged for her work in 1999 when she received a Civic Award.

Speaking at the funeral, Stella’s son Nicholas said: “Reporting on Wootton Bassett wasn’t really ever just a job for mum but more a vocation.

“She was relentlessly positive and proud of her hometown and all that went on here.

“Where others may have hung back, mum so often put herself forward.”

A lifelong Wootton Bassett resident, Stella married David Taylor in August 1960.

David died in March this year.

Stella died on 28 July and her funeral was held on 8 August.