TRIBUTES have been paid to much-loved and respected writer Neal Butterworth who has lost his brave battle with cancer.

The former Daily Echo editor was diagnosed with bowel cancer after moving to Spain last year with his wife Julie to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Born in Manchester, Neal attended the local grammar school and decided to pursue a career in journalism. He went on to become the youngest newspaper editor in the country at the age of 23, when he was appointed to Eddy Shah's Stockport Messenger.

Before that, he spent three years on the books of Manchester City FC, where he played for the reserve side.

But he gave up the promise of a career in top flight football for his dream of being a journalist.

His talent as a sportsman was reflected in him being named Young Sports Personality of the Year in the Manchester area as a teenager.

Neal moved south in 1987 and worked as an editor within Southern Newspapers, now Newsquest, until becoming editor of the Daily Echo and Advertiser Series in 1998.

He was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the two Dorset dailies in 2008.

Good causes were always close to his heart and, during his 13 years as Daily Echo editor, the newspaper raised more than £7 million for local charities and won a series of awards including the Regional Newspaper of the Year in 2011.

Neal was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bournemouth University in 2007 for his contribution to the town.

A Bruce Springsteen fan and lifelong Manchester United supporter, he spent three seasons during his teens, in his own words “under-performing” for Manchester City.

After leaving the Echo in 2011, the devoted family man described himself as a media specialist, writer, editor, trainer and speaker, modestly adding: “Believe me, I'm a better editor and writer than a footballer.” Making light of his many talents, he added: “My mum once said: 'Neal is the best daily newspaper editor in our family.'”

During a successful career, Neal hosted dozens of awards ceremonies and delivered hundreds of thought-provoking speeches. He won accolades for his popular Echo and Advertiser columns which were his own light-hearted look at the world.

While at the Echo the proud father and grandfather, who lived in Poole, forged many friendships both in the newsroom and in the wider community.

Writing recently following his devastating diagnosis, after being admitted to a Spanish hospital with suspected food poisoning, Neal said: “When the specialist eventually summoned up the wherewithal and the vocabulary to explain what was going on, I assumed I would be lucky to see Christmas or my 55th birthday.

“He asked me whether I would like my treatment to continue in Spain or to return to the UK. I was on a flight out of Malaga less than 24 hours later.”

He added: “From the positivity of the people treating me, to the support of wonderful family and fantastic friends, I know at some stage I will kick cancer's sorry ass. And because my own cancer can't at this stage be cured, I'll just have to keep sticking the boot in.

“I am another expensive addition to the roster of people whose lives will be prolonged by the treatments they receive. I'd like to think that, like l'Oreal, we're worth it.”