A journalist who spent 44 years with a regional daily has died aged 90.

Tributes have been paid to Malcolm Hartley, pictured, who held roles including deputy news editor, assistant editor and supplements and special features editor at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

A keen table tennis player, he also wrote a column on the sport for many years.

However, despite his prowess with bat in hand, he refused to write about his own achievements for the T&A.

His son Giles told the newspaper: “As T&A writer he refused to write about his own achievements but after his most enjoyable season in 1969 he agreed to be photographed.

“While deputy news editor he was honoured by the Bradford and District Table Tennis Association when they presented him with the Forrest Memorial Senior Award for outstanding services to the game – the first time the award had gone to a journalist.”

Malcolm began his career in 1951 as a junior reporter covering Bingley before joining the T&A as editorial messenger.

His career progressed to junior reporter at head office in Bradford then leading head office reporter.

He was promoted to deputy news editor in January 1962, becoming assistant editor six years later.

For his final nine years before retiring in 1993 Malcolm was supplements and special features editor.

Former T&A sports journalist David Markham said: “He set high standards for himself and others and was a stickler for accuracy and fairness.

“For many years he worked in the deputy editor’s office with the late Ken Oddy looking after readers’ letters which were an important feature of the paper in those days.”

Ex-features editor Mike Priestley added: “I worked with Malcolm for quite a few years when he was assistant editor, sharing an office with the then deputy editor Ken Oddy.

“He was a very pleasant colleague and was very professional and meticulous in the work that he did.”

Malcolm had two children, Giles and Carol, with his first wife Joyce.  He later married second wife Rosemary in 1985.

His funeral service will take place at St Philip & St James Church, Scholes, on Monday 22 January at 11am, followed by a cremation at Shay Grange Crematorium, Bradford.