TRIBUTES have been paid to “true gentleman” Maurice Jones, a former freelance photographer for the Bolton News.

Mr Jones, who went on to become the club photographer for Leigh Centurions Rugby League club, died at the age of 68 on December 30 after a long battle with cancer.

He joined the Bolton News photographic team on a freelance basis in the 1990s and quickly developed a reputation as a first class sports photographer.

His photographic career began as a hobby when he was a teacher at George Tomlinson School in Kearsley, where he spent 33 years.

His wife Vi, aged 62, said: “He always had his camera with him.

“When we went out on holiday he would find me somewhere hot to relax and then he would be off taking photos of all sorts of things.

“He was an honest and caring man.”

The couple got married in 1980 having met at George Tomlinson’s where Mrs Jones was a PE teacher.

The couple, who lived together in Ladybridge, have two daughters, Laura, aged 31, and Gemma, aged 29, as well as a grandson, Finn, who is 10 months old.

Even after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in April this year, Mr Jones was said to be as energetic and passionate about photography as ever.

Mrs Jones said: “He would be running up and down the sidelines at Leigh Centurions — he was so positive and always lived life to the full.”

Roy Bolton, who was assistant picture editor at The Bolton News while Mr Jones worked for the newspaper, said: “Maurice was a real professional and a true gentleman.”