Moving tributes have been paid to a popular Tyneside man who has died after contracting coronavirus.
John Borthwick, a former scaffolder who fearlessly worked on top of the Tyne Bridge in the 1970s, had Alzheimer's disease and developed a chest infection.
He became unwell and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead, where he tested positive for Covid-19.
However he lost his life in the early hours of Friday. John, of Low Fell, would have turned 79 later this month.
A family member said his death was particularly heartbreaking for his wife Norah, who was asked to isolate for 12 weeks due to health issues and was unable to visit her husband of nearly 46 years in his care home or hospital.
John's loved ones have now paid tribute to him, describing him as a friendly person who everyone knew.
He used to work as a scaffolder and in the 1970s was part of a team who worked on the arch of the Tyne Bridge, nearly 200ft above the river, when the historic structure needed maintenance and a fresh lick of paint. John later went on to work on oil rigs.
The family member said: "He travelled a lot through his work and went to places like Holland and Germany doing different jobs. He talked about working on top of the Tyne Bridge a lot - at that time they went up there without any harnesses or ropes. They just climbed up.
"Working on the Tyne Bridge was something he was very proud of."
John was also well known and respected in his community.
"He was so popular and was adored by hundreds of people," his family said.
"If he went out for a pint, he would be shaking hands with everyone in every pub he went to, in Newcastle and Gateshead. It was like that every time he went out. Wherever he went, everyone knew him. He was such a lovable man."
John's family have also praised the hospital staff who helped to care for him.
They said: "The nurses were absolutely amazing, they were fantastic. They really looked after him."
