TRIBUTES were paid to a well-known Merseyside photographer who has died at the age of 64.

Geoff Roberts worked as a freelance photographer and was commissioned on a regular basis to take pictures for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.

He covered many of the city’s business and corporate events and supplied pictures for, among others, Liverpool and Knowsley councils, as well as Merseyrail and Merseytravel.

He had suffered from prostate cancer for several years, but bravely fought the illness and continued to work until a few months ago.

He married his long time partner Audrey at Royal Liverpool hospital 10 days ago. He died at the Marie Curie hospice, Woolton, on Tuesday.

Richard Williams, who, as both picture editor and photographer, worked alongside Geoff for 35 years, said: “Geoff Roberts was probably the best-known and best-liked freelance photographer on Merseyside.

“In a highly competitive profession he was a respected friend to his fellow cameramen, those who commissioned him and the people he photographed.

“An incredibly hard and reliable worker, he was always in demand over his 35 year career in press and public relations work.

“He also had a profound and controversial interest in the history of early Christianity, and enjoyed the success of his recently published book on the subject.”

Close friend and former Echo photographer John Davidson added: “Geoff loved dealing with people and that went down well with the business community.

“He was very well-liked and trusted.”