A former press photographer who spent more than 35 years with a weekly title has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to Ted Milton who remained with the Dunfermline Press from 1968 until his retirement in 2004, becoming chief photographer in the late 1980s..

Ted, pictured, was “rarely away from a camera” according to his family and his subjects included the late Queen, the then Prince Charles and the Dalai Lama.

Having initially started out as an apprentice to a firm of commercial photographers, he moved to the Press in his 20s where he stayed until he retired.

Bill Livingstone, retired editorial director of the Dunfermline Press Group – now part of Newsquest – said: “Ted developed his photographic skills with award-winning photographer Morris Allan and, during his long professional career, he became a familiar face behind the camera lens at many epoch-making events in Dunfermline and West Fife.

“His back catalogue of work in many Press publications and calendars will form a lasting legacy of images illustrating local life and times during the recent chapters in Dunfermline’s story.”

Mike Gilbert, who worked alongside Ted at the Press for 24 years, added: “I always remember him as easy going and an understanding boss of our department. He always managed to keep me on the right track over the years.

“I know his family meant everything to him and will miss him very much.”

Ted leaves sons John and Mark, stepdaughters Claire and Laura and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Recalled Mark: “We were photographed our whole lives. He must have taken thousands and thousands of photographs over the years. It was not just a career, it was a definite passion.

“We have got a photo of him at the top of the Forth Road Bridge, he photographed the Queen, Diana, Prince Charles, the Dalai Lama.

“He had a very big character. Everybody seemed to gravitate towards him. He would be walking the dog and people would be stopping to talk to him.”

Outside photography, Ted’s interests ranged from antiques to golf, from model aeroplanes to animals.

Said John: “He would rescue animals and also kept chickens and ducks. Part of the garden was a hen pen. He would whistle them in at night and they would come in.”

After his retirement, Ted helped with a family dog walking business and continued to some freelance photography work – including for the Press – until his health began to fail.

His funeral service will take place at Dunfermline Crematorium on Friday, March 1 at 10.45am.