Tributes have been paid to a former Irish News reporter who has passed away at the age of 51.
Michael Hanlon, who was born in Bristol, worked for the Irish News in the nineties, leaving the newspaper in 1996.
He then went to work as a sub-editor for The Independent before he became science correspondent for the Daily Express.
He was science editor at the Daily Mail for 11 years and also worked for the Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times and The Guardian, among other publications.
He left journalism to create a dinosaur museum on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, southern England, becoming the founder and chief executive of Jurassica, a planned visitor attraction in a disused quarry. The project had the backing of Sir David Attenborough who was its patron.
During his career, Michael Hanlon also wrote a number of books, including `10 Questions Science Can’t Answer (Yet!): A Guide to Science’s Greatest Mysteries' and The Science of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
The father-of-one, who lived in London, died on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack.
Ben Webster, former Irish News news editor, described Mr Hanlon as "a force of nature".
"He was the most enthusiastic, positive person," he said.
"He was full of life and full of new ideas."
Noel Doran, Irish News editor, said: "Mike made a huge impact with some of the biggest papers in London and we were always very proud that he began his career here.
"His ability was obvious from the start but he was also great company and made lasting friendships easily. It was devastating to hear of his unexpected death and we send our deepest sympathies to his family."
