A former weekly business correspondent and hyperlocal website columnist has died aged 65.

Tributes have been paid to David Callam, pictured left, formerly of the Croydon Advertiser and in more recent years the website Inside Croydon.

Former advertiser colleague Ian Austen, who retired recently after four decades with the paper, described him as “great fun to work with.”

David’s career after serving as the Advertiser’s business correspondent saw him take in public relations roles at Croydon Council and other local authorities.

David’s recently retired former Advertiser colleague Ian Austen said: “He was a great deal of fun to work with and had a clear understanding of the workings and needs of the business community in Croydon.”

David died after a short illness earlier this month and is survived by wife Julia, and sons James and Andrew.

In a tribute piece on Inside Croydon, founder Steven Downes wrote: “For sure, David may have had something of the Grumpy Old Men demeanour about his outlook of late, but as an antidote to so much of the saccharine sentimentality which is peddled about Croydon, and which is often used to disguise the failings of the local authority and the political hacks who inhabit the Town Hall, his interventions were a very welcome balance.

“A journalist to the ink that flowed in his veins, David Callam’s copy was always delivered before deadline and never needed any editing work. Though he never admitted it explicitly, there was a sense that David relished the opportunity to fire both barrels at those in charge.”

He added: “Throughout his commentaries and comments and his other social media activity, there was a common theme in David Callam’s more recent writing, seeking to “’protect our public services and stand for people over big business’. It is a noble objective.

“I know I will miss David’s acerbic comments and wise counsel. I’m sure Croydon will too.”

David’s funeral will be held at Beckenham Crematorium at 2.15pm on Monday 29 June.

Donations in his memory can be made to the British Heart Foundation and the family have requested mourners should wear bright bow ties for the funeral.