A journalist who started out at a regional daily and was made a life member of the National Union of Journalists has died at the age of 69.

David Turner, left, started his career in journalism at the Nottingham Post in the 1960s and went on to work for the Morning Star, Tribune magazine and Personnel Management magazine.

His involvement with the NUJ saw him chair its London magazine branch and be a member of the Magazine and Book Industrial Council.

David moved from London to the south coast of England in the 1990s where he concentrated mainly on magazine production.

His clients included the University of the Third Age, of which he was also a member, the Transport and General Workers Union, along with other unions and voluntary organisations.

Friend Eddie Barrett said: “David was probably the most cheerful pessimist any of us knew. He could spot the cloud wrapped around any silver lining, but always managed to keep a twinkle in his eye while he discussed ways of overcoming difficulties.

“A deeply loyal NUJ member and a committed socialist, David will be missed by his many friends and all who knew him.”