FORMER BBC Midlands Today reporter, John Yates, whose home was near Stourport, has died, aged 57.

Mr Yates, who retired a year ago due to ill-health, was paid a glowing tribute by his ex-colleague, Nick Owen, one of the programme's main presenters.

Mr Owen said his friend's death, from a heart condition, left behind "a gaping hole".

He added: "I'm shattered by John's death. I have nothing but affectionate memories of him.

"We came up through the routes of journalism together, we had a lot in common and spoke the same language.

"He was much loved by the public and people of all ages in the newsroom because he had so much to offer and a tremendous sense of humour. I feel privileged to have been his friend."

Describing the standard the work of Mr Yates - who wore trademark bow-ties during his quirky television reports - as "impeccable", Mr Owen added: "The reports he did were beautifully crafted and had that special touch.

"He was an old school journalist, he knew exactly what questions to ask, what made a story and was always one of the most popular people in every newsroom he worked in, which is a great tribute to his character."

Mr Yates, who died in Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Wednesday last week, leaves his journalist wife, Chris, 47, and daughters, Kate, 25, a reporter with the Shuttle/Times and News's sister paper, the Worcester News, and Charlotte, 23, a primary school teacher.

Mr Yates had worked for the BBC since 1979, after working in newspapers.