A journalist who was awarded the MBE for his work has died aged 80.

Tributes have been paid to Bill Chisholm, who covered the Scottish Borders region for more than 50 years.

Bill, pictured, began at Smith freelance news agency, in Berwick-upon-Tweed, later moving to the Berwick Advertiser, Kelso Chronicle and then, in 1967, The Scotsman.

Among his most high-profile stories was an investigation into the sale of Scottish Special Housing Association properties in Galashiels, some of which had been sold for as little as £1.

His reporting prompted a National Audit Office inquiry and questions in the House of Commons.

The Scotsman’s longtime Falkirk Correspondent and friend John Smith said of Bill: “He was quite simply one of the best journalists in the business, and widely admired and respected by his peers.

“He was fiercely proud of being an ‘old-school’ reporter, with a formidable array of contacts, and possessed an unerring eye for a good story.

“For 35 years as the Scottish Borders correspondent for The Scotsman, most of the articles he wrote were self-generated – but when a big story broke Bill could be guaranteed to provide fast and accurate coverage for the paper.

“In providing an unrivalled account of Borders affairs for readers, Bill really came to the fore with his investigative reporting. He would persistently uncover confidential goings-on that caused a great deal of discomfiture to the councillors and officials involved.

“Many individuals outwith the council were less than happy to come under Bill’s scrutiny. But over the years Bill would be recognised by many of those as having written a fair, balanced and accurate story.

“With his well-developed sense of humour Bill appreciated the touch of irony on being awarded a bronze statuette by Borders Council for his 35-year coverage of the authority – but he was also quietly flattered by the recognition.”

Bill retired for health reasons aged 60, but continued to report on the Borders through his blog, Not Just Sheep and Rugby.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, who he met while she worked in advertising on the Edinburgh Evening News, as well as son Mark, daughter, Lisa, granddaughter Leighanne, grandsons Harry and Rory, and great-grandchildren Josh, Brooke and Jay.  Another grandson, Scott, predeceased him.

Bill died on 28 February, but an obituary was only published by The Scotsman on Wednesday.