A reporter-turned-feature writer who served a regional daily for 40 years has died aged 70.

Tributes have been paid to a former Lancashire Telegraph feature writer who has died suddenly aged 70

Gill Johnson, left, has been described as ‘a consummate professional’ and ‘a special person’ by her former colleagues at the Lancashire Telegraph.

After starting out at the now-defunct Burnley Evening Star in 1973, she joined its sister paper the Telegraph a few years later and remained there until her retirement in 2018.

It was while  working at the Burnley office that she met her husband Neil, a photographer who would later become Lancashire Telegraph picture editor. They married in 1982 and had two children.

Initially a general news reporter, Gill moved onto commercial features and general features in 1991, including compiling the Telegraph’s Looking Back nostalgia section for more than 12 years.

In 2014 she was highly commended in the O2 Regional Press Awards for a special supplement she produced marking the outbreak of the First World War which featured letters from the frontline and family stories, many of which had never been told before.

John Anson, regional features editor for Newsquest, said: “Gill was a very special person. She was a rare journalist who had that innate ability to just get on with everyone.

“She was a fine writer who connected both with her readers and everyone she interviewed. She had a smile for everyone and was always full of life. I was privileged to have her as a colleague and a friend; her death is a terrible blow.”

Former Telegraph deputy editor Alan Simpson, who shared a desk with Gill at the Evening Star, said he felt devastated when he heard of her passing.

Said Alan: “She was a consummate professional, who was beloved not only by her fellow journalists but by the community she served where she nurtured an enviable book of outstanding contacts enabling her to write authoritative stories across a wide spectrum of topics.

“That wasn’t by accident. It was because of her warm and friendly nature, being able to mix comfortably across a broad section of local society, and having the ability to honour the strictest of confidences.”

“She was respected and trusted not only across the editorial floor and advertising department but also throughout the East Lancashire world of retail and commerce.”

A devoted Burnley FC supporter, Gill was a season ticket holder for many years and would often travel to watch both first team and reserve games around the country.

As well as husband Neil, she leaves son Chris, daughter Lauren, daughter-in-law Louise, son-in law Andrew, grandsons Finn and Noah and sister Mandy.

Gill’s funeral will be held at Burnley Crematorium tomorrow at 1.45pm, followed by a celebration of her life at the 1882 Suite at Burnley Football Club.

The family would be delighted to see former colleagues and friends and have requested that black isn’t worn to reflect Gill’s bright personality.