An editor known for being “kind, caring and helpful” has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to John Oliver, who ran the Luton Herald and Post during his career.

His time in the editor’s chair at the Herald and Post was sandwiched by two spells as its sports editor.

At its height, the free newspaper regularly had a pagination of 200 pages and was distributed to around 80,000 homes in South Bedfordshire.

Rosemary, his wife of 55 years, told the Luton News: “Sport was his first love. He did like football but everybody used to muck in and cover all the sports.”

“He was very kind and caring.  Some of the journalists he worked with have said how kind, caring and helpful he was.”

Reading-born John, pictured, began his career in Hemel Hempstead before moving to Luton. He retired in 2006.

John, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year, died at his home in Dunstable on 22 December. His funeral takes place today in Reading.