TRIBUTES have flooded in for an award-winning former Oxford Mail photographer described as a ‘terrific’ shot who showed others the way.

George Reszeter, who worked at this paper for quarter of a century, passed away aged 72 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Friday after having a stroke.

Despite having officially retired in 2008, he had continued to pursue his passion for wildlife photography in recent years.

As recently as 2016 he came in the top 10 of British Birds magazine’s Bird Photograph of the Year competition with the photo above of a citrine wagtail on Cyprus.

Editor Roger Riddington, who met ‘Big George’ on several occasions, said he was shocked and saddened by the news. He added: “George was a lovely guy: he was a big bear of a man and he was a terrific photographer. He was also a guy who would always help you.”

Born in Poland in February 1946, Mr Reszeter moved to the UK when he was young and started working at the Oxford Mail as a news and sport photographer on Boxing Day 1983.

He lived in Dry Sandford near Abingdon with his wife Patricia.

Oxford Mail photographer Dave Fleming said: “George was a legend, especially doing sports photography. We walked in his shadow.”

 • See Wednesday’s Oxford Mail for our selection of some of Mr Reszeter's finest photos.