A legendary television presenter who brought the news to Cumbria for decades has died.

Tributes have been paid to Mike Neville, who was a renowned presenter of the BBC's Look North. He was 80. His family say he died peacefully in hospital.

Mike retired in 2006 aged 69, when he was Britain's longest-serving television news presenter, having been on screens for 40 years.

He latterly worked for Tyne Tees in Newcastle, but it was as a presenter for nightly news programme BBC Look North that he became a popular part of daily life for generations of Cumbrians.

Neville, who was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, was critically-acclaimed and received a Lifetime Achievement accolade from the Royal Television Society.

He remained popular with former viewers in retirement. Many have spoken of their fondness of him on social media.

Among those to pay their respects was Carlisle-born broadcaster and media executive John Myers, who tweeted: "So very sad to learn of the passing of TV legend Mike Neville. What a man he was, a giant in the North East and loved by millions. RIP."

Simon O'Rourke, a sports presenter with ITV Tyne Tees and Border, tweeted: "Our greatest ever regional news man has passed away. I was proud to share a studio with the great Mike Neville when I was starting out. RIP."