A photographer who served two sister dailies for more than four decades has died aged 82.

Tributes have been paid to John Kerr, who worked on the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich star from 1964 until his retirement in 2006.

John, pictured, was mainly known for covering the Felixstowe and Woodbridge area of Suffolk for the two newspapers.

He later joined a pool of photographers working out of their Ipswich studio.

Former Star editor Nigel Pickover told the EADT: ”John was a key member of the team in a golden era for Star photographers.

“He took many great pictures and took no prisoners in quickly organising people at busy photoshoots.

“What a lovely colleague he was – the first thing many saw of him was his warm and ready smile.

“He was with me when I was invited to play at Old Wembley in a friendly match – and captured unforgettable images of the goal I scored there. A hero and legend to so many.”

Former EADT and Star editor Terry Hunt added: “He was a great guy and an excellent photographer.”

And former picture editor David Kindred said: “I worked with John on many major news stories in Suffolk and will always remember our time together. My thoughts are with his wife Chris at this sad time.”

John met Chris when they were both working from the Felixstowe Times office, where they continued to live.

She told the EADT: “John was always joking with us and then after a short time there was a spark and we really hit it off together. He loved his job, most of the time, and he could really do any kind of pictures.”

John, who had suffered from ill-health in recent years, died earlier this month.