A former weekly newspaper editor who was also motoring correspondent for a regional daily has died aged 71.

Tributes have poured in for John Griffiths, who started out on his hometown paper the Bridgnorth Journal in 1973 and returned there as editor 31 years later.

In the interim John enjoyed long stints on the Shropshire Star and Express & Star where he was motoring correspondent.

He retired in 2014 and died at his home in Telford following a short illness.

John, pictured, worked briefly as a civil servant before successfully applying for the Express & Star journalism training scheme.

He was posted to his home turf of Bridgnorth as a trainee reporter before transferring three years later to the Shropshire Star.

During his time with the paper, John reported on numerous high profile stories, including the kidnap and murder of Shropshire’s Lesley Whittle by ‘Black Panther’ Donald Neilson.

He switched to the Express & Star in Wolverhampton around 1996 working on features and supplements before becoming motoring editor, attending the launches of new models and writing reviews.

In November 2004 his career turned full circle as he returned to the Bridgnorth Journal as editor.

The role would later expand to include editing the now-defunct Ludlow Journal.

Former Shropshire Star editor Andy Wright said: “John was both a gentle man and a gentleman, a consummate professional journalist and someone whose friendship I valued.

“We met as apprentices at the Bridgnorth Journal and continued through the Shropshire Star where John was first reporter and then sub editor before his interests took him to motoring journalism.”

Richard Ewels, former deputy editor of the Express & Star added: “He was a lovely person and a fantastic professional in his work. He did not cut corners and his work was to the highest possible standard, whether he was writing a motoring review or sub editing.

“And the other side of his personality was that he was such a gentle soul, a gentleman, a mild-mannered person who could not do enough to help people.”

John retired in 2014, but continued to contribute motoring articles to his former titles.

A divorcee, he leaves a sister, Paula, and nephews Steven and Anthony. Funeral details are yet to be announced.