TRIBUTES have been paid to a former journalist and local historian who has died after a long illness.

Derek Hebden, who was 68, combined a long career with The Northern Echo and its sister papers the Durham Advertiser series with service as a councillor and a union official.

He lived and worked in Bishop Auckland, where he first moved with the Evening Gazette, before joining The Northern Echo in the early 1960s.

After four years he established the Bishop Auckland Press Agency, mainly covering local sport, and in 1967 won a seat on the former Bishop Auckland Urban District Council.

He served as an independent and enjoyed a term as council chairman before resigning in 1973, over what he said were bad planning decisions.

He had been a constant critic of schemes such as the redevelopment of South Church, the new Bishop Auckland bypass and town centre road proposals.

Councillor Olive Brown, leader of Wear Valley District Council, said yesterday: "He was a good councillor and a searching journalist, who always spoke up for what he thought was right."

Mr Hebden was a lifelong member of the National Union of Journalists and chairman of its Durham branch.

He served as church warden at St Andrews, in Bishop Auckland, for nine years. He spent the later years of his career writing for the weekly Auckland Chronicle, retiring in 1986. This gave him time to indulge his interest in local history, chronicling past events in Bishop Auckland and nearby villages in a series of popular books.

His widow, Joan, said yesterday: "This was his main love. He was proud of his books and had a great interest in local history."

Colin Tapping, The Northern Echo's deputy editor, said: "He was a fine journalist, who always had the interests of his community at heart."

Mr Hebden leaves a son, David, a daughter, Ann, and son-in-law, Graham Wood, as well as grand-daughters Hannah and Megan Wood.

A private funeral service took place at Escomb Saxon Church.