Former Daily Mirror journalist Paula Howitt, who covered the Aberfan mining disaster in Wales for the paper, has died aged 86 following a short illness.

Howitt, known as Paula James throughout her career, died last month in Manchester where she retired after more than 40 years in the news industry. A funeral service was held on Friday.

Howitt started out her career at the Finchley Press in north London before heading to Fleet Street, where she worked at the Mirror from 1958 to 1976. She also spent a decade writing for the Folkestone Herald before retiring.