A PRINTER who worked on a weekly paper for more than half a century, and was said to know more about the local news than anyone else, has died at the age of 78.

Lewis Johnson went straight into The Teesdale Mercury's printing works at Barnard Castle, after leaving school at 14 and rarely missed a day's work until he retired at 65.

He was a great help to a succession of eight editors he worked with, as he could fill in details about Teesdale people and events from his own knowledge, and could correct mistakes in reports before they were published.

One former colleague said: "Lew, as he was known, was a valuable person to have in the works, as he was an authority on many subjects.

"He had a remarkable memory. When we wanted to know details of some person or event from the past he could usually come up with the answer quickly. He knew more about the area's news that anybody else."

He was presented with a gold watch when he completed 50 years' service on the Mercury.

Mr Johnson was a keen footballer in his younger days. In latter years he played the big bass drum in Barnard Castle Band and was one of the organising committee of the annual Teesdale brass band concert. He was also secretary of a local branch of the RAOB.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughter Anita and four grandchildren.

His funeral will be at Barnard Castle Parish Church next Wednesday at noon.