A photographer whose regional press career spanned six decades has died aged 84.

Tributes have been paid to Bernard Hess, who worked in the industry from the late 1940s until his retirement in the 1990s.

Bernard, known as Bunny to colleagues, spent most of his working life with the Birmingham Evening Mail.

Former Mail deputy editor Tony Dickens has led the tributes.

He said: “Bunny was a legendary photographer and undoubtedly one of the best in the Midlands.

“He was always a pleasure to work with, serious on the job, yet hilarious out of the newsroom.”

Ex-colleague Colin Palmer added: “He was a great photographer, a gentleman – and a really nice bloke.”

And Nick Hudson, a district office reporter for the Mail who went on to edit a number of local titles, remembered Bunny for his “inspiring photographic work”.

Some of Bernard’s favourite photographs were compiled into a book, Through the Lens: A Life in News, which is raising funds for the Journalists’ Charity.

Bernard is survived by his widow Betty and sons John, a former BBC East Midlands political editor, and Alan, a retired police officer.

He died on 10 June and his funeral will be held at Knowle C of E Church, near Solihull, on Wednesday 27 July at 1pm.

The service will be followed by a reception at Greswolde Hotel, Warwick Road, Knowle.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Journalists’ Charity & the Birmingham Mail’s charity.