Former Newham Recorder journalist Bob Corfield has died aged 59.

He suffered a fatal stroke while restoring a boat on the River Avon which he planned to travel abroad in.

Bob, who began his career as a crime reporter on the Dagenham Post, transferred to the Newham Recorder before moving to Bristol in 1979.

As crime correspondent for the Bristol Evening Post, he covered major incidents including the Hungerford Massacre in 1987.

Born in east London in 1955, Bob was the cycling champion of Essex as a young man and while in Bristol, wrote the motorcycle section of the newspaper, testing bikes.

His main passion, however, was sailing, and he took part in races and competitions as part of the Bristol Avon Sailing Club for many years.

After a brief spell restoring boats, Bob’s career took a change of direction, working in PR.

In 2009, he moved to Australia for a while to work as a sailing instructor.

Bob, who leaves behind two children, died on board the boat he was restoring on Sunday, July 27.

His funeral is taking place on Wednesday at South Bristol Cemetery.