A former regional journalist who later became a local police force’s first public relations officer has died aged 81.

Tributes have been paid to Pat Percival, left, who went from reporting for the Northants Evening Telegraph to managing the comms operation for Northants Police.

Appointed in 1985 by the then Chief Constable Maurice Buck, she was the first person to take on the role of press and public relations officer for the force.

Former newsroom and police colleagues alike have recalled her dedication to duty both to the paper and to the police service.

A spokesman for Northants Police said: “Pat, who retired in 2008, was a trailblazer in local journalism and police communications.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Pat’s daughter Louise and son Andrew, and all her family and friends, and our thoughts are with them at this sad time.”

Under Pat’s leadership, the force’s communications department grew and she went on to work with four more chief constables before her retirement in 2008.

Her policing career of 23 years followed more than 20 years as a local journalist based in the Telegraph’s Kettering newsroom.

Former Telegraph deputy chief news editor Tony Smith said: “Pat was our Northampton reporter with unrivalled local knowledge and contacts.

“She was a tough, determined journalist of the ‘old school’ who took no nonsense from anybody and was a thorn in the side of the county police, so many of her colleagues were surprised when she left the ET to work for them!”

Pat was awarded an MBE for services to policing in 2006 and was also actively involved in scouting in Northamptonshire.

She died earlier this month following a short illness and is survived by daughter Louise and son Andrew.