A photographer who was awarded the MBE for his work at the regional newspaper group he served for four decades has died aged 88.

Tributes have been paid to Mike Roberts, who was best known for his work on the Mold-based Evening Leader.

Mike, pictured, joined the newly-launched Evening Leader in the early 1970s and remained there until retiring from North Wales Newspapersin 1998.

Upon his retirement, he was given the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to photographic journalism in North East Wales.

Jo Shone, former news editor and later head of features at the Evening Leader said: “Mike was a delight to work with. He was there when I was first taken on as a rookie reporter in 1970 and I have been proud to count him as a friend ever since.

“His dedication was second to none and in particular his features photography was brilliantly creative.”

Mike Dean, a fellow photographer who became picture editor after Mike retired, added: “I always had the greatest respect for Mike’s work. He was the man I looked up to when I first started working for the Leader.

“I aspired to be as good as him. His feature work was simply outstanding.”

Mike started his career on the Wrexham Leader in the 1950s after completing national service.

He then moved to newspapers in Stafford and Banbury before returning to North-East Wales to work for the weekly Flintshire Leader, and later the Evening Leader.

During his career, Mike covered everything from fires and floods to major industrial stories, notably the crisis created by the ending of steelmaking at Shotton on Deeside in 1980 with the loss of more than 8,000 jobs.

He was also well-known for his features work and won a prestigious Wales press award in 1975 for an impressive portfolio of pictures.

Former Flintshire Leader reporter John Shone, who went on to work for the BBC and HTV, said: “Mike was not only a first-class photographer, he was a great story-finder and an absolute joy to work with.

“I was privileged to cover stories with him for five years in the late 60s and early 70s. We shared many happy times and some great exclusives; a lovely guy who will be missed by many.”

Lord Barry Jones, former Labour MP for Alyn and Deeside, added: “Mike was a wonderful personality in North Wales journalism He was a superb professional who was hugely admired in his field of expertise.

“He was always considerate and thoughtful in his dealings with the public and with me as a parliamentarian. His integrity was acknowledged by all who knew him.”

Mike had been unwell for some time and died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on 7 January. He leaves his wife Mary, to whom he had been married for more than 60 years, and son Andrew.

At Mike’s request, there will be no funeral service.