FRED Willis, a former reporter on The Press, has died aged 69.

Mr Willis, who lived in Harrogate, began his journalistic career with the Northern Echo at their Ripon office, before moving to The Press – then The Yorkshire Evening Press – in Coney Street in York.

He was Harrogate correspondent for the newspaper before moving to the Evening News in Leeds.

After 17 months there, he became a reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post, where he became assistant editor.

A cycling accident 16 years ago resulted in a lengthy spell in Harrogate and Killingbeck hospitals, but he recovered after 12 months’ rehabilitation and became a freelance reporter, one of his jobs being to cover Harrogate Town FC matches for The Press. He was a lifelong supporter of Leeds United.

Mr Willis, who had been in failing health in recent months, was a former Conservative councillor for the Pannal ward in Harrogate.

He died in Belmont House, Starbeck. He leaves his wife Margaret, their children Helen and Richard, and four grandchildren.