TRIBUTES have been paid to BBC journalist Jonathan Ali who has died at the age of 50.

The reporter, from Hawkshaw, died after losing a battle with cancer.

He covered Bolton and Bury for BBC Radio Manchester for many years and was a well known figure in the town.

A larger than life character, he was often a thorn in the side of his rivals at the Bury Times and Bolton News, and a familiar sight at council meetings.

His brother Richard had been providing updates on his condition on Facebook for the last few weeks as his condition deteriorated.

Jonathan even covered the story of a fire at The Christie two years ago, while being treated at the hospital.

A well-known figure in local journalism in Greater Manchester, colleagues and friends have been quick to pay tribute to him.

One of the reporter's legacies will be the painstaking work he put in to document the stories of the First World War soldiers from the village he called home.

His book 'Our Boys - The Great War in a Lancashire Village' told the stories of Hawkshaw's fallen soldiers.

Published in 2007, it took him six years to research and write.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who was an opposition councillor when Jonathan covered Bolton Council, said: "He was the most genuine of people.

"He wanted to hear everyone's view. He was apolitical and he did his job for the community.

"He loved his job and he will be really sadly missed. Everyone at the town hall on all sides will be thinking of him and his family at this really sad time."

Jonathan spent more than 25 years reporting for the BBC.

He covered investigations into child sexual abuse in Rochdale as well as the aftermath of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

He died at the Christie last night, Thursday May 30.

BBC Radio Manchester's managing editor Kate Squire said: "He was a hard-working, enthusiastic and intelligent and a kind, loving and funny friend," she said.

"We will miss him terribly and our thoughts are with his family."

The former Bury Grammar School pupil's other claim to fame was an appearance on the ITV game show Blockbusters.

He reported on many of Greater Manchester's biggest stories over the last three decades, including the IRA bombing of 1996, Manchester United's famous 1999 treble, the Oldham race riots in 2001 and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.