Former Shropshire Star chief photographer dies

One of the founding fathers of the Shropshire Star and a pioneer in the use of colour in news photography has died at the age of 84.

Johnnie Johnson, from Church Stretton, died in the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. He had been ill for some time.

Former colleagues have paid tribute to Mr Johnson, who was the first chief photographer of the Shropshire Star when it was launched in October 1964, using cutting edge new printing technologies.

When the Queen visited in 1967 Mr Johnson made history when his photo of her became the first colour picture to be used in a British newspaper on the day it was taken.

His most famous photo was of a gunman pointing both barrels of a shotgun in his direction during a 1968 siege at Weston-under-Redcastle. Mr Johnson escaped unhurt.

Shropshire Star editor Keith Harrison led tributes, saying: "He was a legend in the industry, a superb photographer and a nice chap to boot. He will be greatly missed."

Brian Bould, who succeeded Mr Johnson when he left to become chief photographer at the Express & Star in Wolverhampton in 1969, said: "He liked people, and people liked him, and that came out in his photographs.

"He loved the Shropshire Star and the Express & Star, and loved the atmosphere of newspapers and the camaraderie," said son Paul, deputy editor of The Guardian.

The funeral is at Shrewsbury crematorium at 1pm on May 9.