A sports editor who began his career as a printer before moving onto a 30-year career in journalism has died aged 74.

Tributes have been paid to Greg Edwards, who moved from production into covering sport for the Malvern Gazette and Ledbury Reporter.

Greg, pictured, later went on to run the sportsdesk of the two Newsquest sister weeklies.

He retired in 2008 and died at his home in Powick, near Worcester, on 15 November, having recently suffered from cancer.

Former Malvern Gazette and Evesham Journal editor Liz Griffin described Greg as “superbly knowledgeable, highly accomplished and a great ambassador for his papers.”

She told the Worcester News: “Greg was part of one of the biggest shakeups in newspaper history – when hot metal was swapped for computer typesetting.

“He applied for and easily passed the assessment to train as a journalist and soon had achieved his ambition of combining work with his life-long love of sport by becoming sports editor of, first the Malvern Gazette and Ledbury Reporter and then the Evesham Journal Series.

“Loved and respected by his colleagues as much as by his readers, he helped shape these weeklies into the award-winners they became.”

Greg, who was born in South Wales, moved to Worcester in his youth and was twice crowned Midlands counties schoolboy boxing champion before starting his career.

His wife Mitzi said: “”Greg was a gentleman and a gentle giant. He was a big man with a big heart, helpful, kind and considerate but competitive in whatever sport he was involved in.

“The tributes have been absolutely tremendous. My sons and I have been overwhelmed by the legacy of love and respect that has poured out from all corners of Worcestershire and beyond.

“It has helped to ease the pain. Greg would be so proud. He was a very humble and modest man so I think he would be tickled pink if he could read it all. He will be sadly missed.”

Greg is survived by Mitzi, sons James and Oliver and grandchildren Molly, Phoebe and Frankie.

His funeral is at Worcester Crematorium at 1.45pm tomorrow with donations invited to Prostate Cancer UK followed by a gathering at Worcester Golf and Country Club, where Greg was a long-standing member.