THE founder of a community newspaper who was made an MBE for services to his home town has passed away in hospital.

Syd Howarth, fondly known as “Mr Newton Aycliffe”, died on Monday surrounded by his family, aged 81.

Mr Howarth retired this month from the Newton News and Newton Press, which he had ran for more than half a century, due to ill health and handed over the reins to his sons.

From moving to the town and setting up its first printing press in 1963, Mr Howarth worked tirelessly in the community– serving on numerous committees and as a member of the Rotary Club– and received an MBE in 2016.

His sons Paul, Stuart and Christopher Howarth confirmed his passing this morning.

An announcement on the Newton News website read: "Paul, Stuart and Christopher Howarth, with great sadness, report the passing of their father, Syd Howarth, on Monday 29th October 2018 at 5.32pm, eight days after his 81st birthday.

"He passed without pain, surrounded by all his family at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

"Syd was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) a year ago and bravely carried on until the illness forced him to retire.

"Syd Howarth, often referred to as “Mr Newton Aycliffe”, will be a huge loss to the town."