GRANADA Reports presenter Tony Morris has died at the age of 57.

The award-winning journalist was a well-known face in the north west, having presented ITV’s regional news show for the past 17 years.

He died at Bury Hospice on Saturday, August 1, with his daughters by his side having been diagnosed with kidney cancer last year.

Paying tribute on Twitter, daughter Natalie said: “We lost our incredible dad on Saturday morning.

“He was more than a parent, he was also our best friend.

“We are utterly heartbroken, but so grateful for the time we had with him.”

Morris was previously a reporter with BBC's North West Tonight, and had continued to appear on Granada Reports until only a few weeks ago.

His co-presenter Lucy Meacock also paid tribute to her colleague.

She said: “He was without doubt one of the most humble, kind and funny people I have ever met and he would often make me laugh till my sides ached.

“I am so very, very sad and my heart goes out to his daughters Nat and Becky.

“A smile from Tony Morris always brightened everyone's day, and certainly brightened up the whole of the north west for 17 years.”