A regional correspondent who served a national tabloid for many years has died aged 93.

Tributes have been paid to Vic Chapple, pictured, who was among the launch team of The Sun in 1969 and served as its West Country correspondent.

During his Fleet Street career, Vic also served as Saturday night news editor for the Sunday Times for more than 20 years.

Former Sun editors Kelvin MacKenzie and Stuart Higgins led the tributes after his death on Sunday..

Kelvin said: “Vic was a star. An example of huge talent meeting hard work.

“The success of the Sun was built on a team of reporters off which Vic was a shining light.”

Stuart added: “Vic was a rare breed of reporter, dogged, generous and unruffled.

“You knew that you were always going to win when Vic was part of your team on a big story because of his experience and unremitting calmness.”