A FORMER “inspirational” editor of The Press has died of a heart attack while holidaying in Morocco.

Richard Wooldridge died on Sunday, aged 69, during an activity holiday with his wife Lynda, daughter Henrietta and son Christopher.

Mr Wooldridge was managing director and editor of The Press paper, then known as the Yorkshire Evening Press, between 1982 and 1991 and was instrumental in moving the paper from Coney Street to its current offices Walmgate in 1989.

His other achievements included introducing new technology and winning regional and national awards. In 1991 Mr Wooldridge was awarded the tile of regional editor of the year at the Newspaper Focus Awards.

In his time at the newspaper he led many campaigns, including one at the time of the Rowntree takeover, one for better health care in the community and another to protect residents in old people’s homes. His career in York also saw him witness major stories including the Minster fire.

After leaving the Yorkshire Evening Press he went on to be editorial director of Westminster Press, then owners of The Press, before joining the International Herald Tribune.

Robert Beaumont, friend and former chief features editor of The Press, said he was “very upset and saddened” by the news.

He said: “I knew him very well throughout the time he was editor for the Press and we enjoyed friendship as well as a professional relationship.

“He was easily the best editor I ever worked with, along with David Nicholson. He was a very inspirational leader and was a source of huge encouragement to me.

“He was a brilliant motivator and helped me develop my journalistic skills to become chief feature writer.

“He was an outstanding journalist, brilliant editor and someone who loved the heart of York.

“He transformed the Yorkshire Evening Press from a slightly stuffy, if honourable, paper of record to an inspirational, campaigning and award-winning newspaper which contained all that was best in journalism.

“I am desperately sorry to hear this news.”

Close friend Canon Simon Stanley, vicar of St Chad’s Church in York, said he had known the Wooldridge family for years and said he was “devastated” by the news.

“He was a great and fantastic friend.

“He was a tough person and very strong. He was very, very kind to all that knew him.

“He was one of the best in journalism and a valued and loyal friend.”

He said Lynda, a former head teacher at Dunnington primary school, and their children had been left “absolutely devastated” by Richard’s sudden death.

Former assistant editor Nigel Pickover said: “Richard Wooldridge was a formidable campaigner and accomplished journalist, combining the role of editor and managing director with effortless ease. In my time at York he pushed hard on campaigns but also had a softer side when it came to appeals – one very successful crusade I ran for the YEP was on autism - and we had a memorable charity gala premiere of the film Rain Man, raising thousands of pounds.

"But make no mistake, despite his soft exterior and rich deep voice, Richard utterly was determined to achieve what he wanted - and nothing would stand in the way of the success and profitability of the then Yorkshire Evening Press.

"He liked the intensity and trappings of editorship and I remember him in his Dickensian office, overlooking Coney Street, where he ruled the roost as one of the last mighty newspaper barons. Then, he carefully managed the historic move to Walmgate – and I chuckled on my first visit to his new office which was so large the office five-a-side team could have had a training session in there.

"I remember him as a very kind family man too, one who delighted in his holidays around the UK. My condolences go to his wife and children.”

A funeral service will be held in France and a memorial service, details of which are to be arranged, will take place in York later this year.