A journalist who became head of print for a series of Newsquest titles has died suddenly aged 49.

Tributes have been paid to Peter Magill, pictured, following his death in his home town of Warrington last week.

Described as a “determined, tenacious and brilliant” journalist, Pete was Newsquest’s head of print for the North West and North Wales and managed the print editions of titles including the Lancashire Telegraph and Bury Times.

A stalwart of the regional media, he started out working for Orbit News, publisher of the Warrington Worldwide magazine, while his career later took in stints on the Warrington Guardian, the Wigan Post and Observer, and other newspapers in Oldham, Burnley and East Lancashire.

Roger Airey, head of production for the North at Newsquest, added: “Pete was a tenacious, brilliant reporter with the ability to turn the most complex strands of information into an easily intelligible story expressed with the fewest words possible – a skill only the best journalists possess.”

Regional editor North West Richard Duggan said: “Pete was well-loved and hugely respected for the role he played in journalism in the North West for many years – his death has left us stunned and everyone in the region is keeping Pete, his family and loved ones in our thoughts at this terrible time.”

Jon Dillon, ex-Lancashire Telegraph news editor and friend of Pete, said: “If there was one word that sums Pete up – workaholic. He loved digging out stories from the most obscure places. He even managed to find out the Pope was a Burnley fan and helped his colleague Tyrone Marshall expose the future King as a Clarets fan too!

“He loved taking young reporters under his wing and passing on his years of experience. He coached many reporters who have since gone on to work for national newspapers and broadcasters. But his passion was local news as he was a dyed in the wool print man.”

Pete attended Sir Thomas Boteler High in Warrington and, after a short apprenticeship on a local paper, began his career at Orbit News with its founders David and Gary Skentelbery.

Said Gary: “To hear that a former colleague who started as your office junior has died so suddenly and young is heart-breaking. On the one hand, you have my father who is still working aged 87 who trained us both and then Pete taken from us so young. I can’t even begin to think what his family must be feeling at this time.

“Although Pete left us to join the Warrington Guardian as we embarked on our own journey with Warrington Worldwide, we always kept in touch with a friendly rivalry.

“Pete was never afraid to express his opinion and was one of the most hard-working determined journalists I have ever met.”

Former Warrington Guardian editor Nicola Priest said: “A Warrington lad, Pete was proud to work for his home town paper. He was a first class journalist, hard working and tenacious.

“Pete was always a popular member of the news team and I was shocked and saddened to hear of his death. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends.”

Gareth Dunning, the Guardian’s current deputy editor, took over as news editor from Pete more than 20 years ago.

He said: “Long before the days of 24 hour news, Pete would be out at 11pm at night if he heard about a story. You could drop Pete into a town centre anywhere in the UK and within an hour he would have had four page leads and a splash.

“He lived and breathed news. Tales of him sleeping in the Crewe office after deadline are legendary.

“He never changed and it is hard to think I won’t see him in the newsroom again.”