A former regional journalist who went on to win an exclusive fellowship for industrial editors has died aged 75.

Tributes have been paid to John Jordan, left, who worked at local newspapers in Worcestershire, before becoming editor of a road surfacing company’s in-house magazine.

John began his career at his hometown newspaper the Evesham Standard, later moving to the town’s Journal title.

After a stint at the Worcester Evening News and Times, the forerunner of today’s Worcester News, he took a job in 1970 with Tarmac, in Wolverhampton, where he took on the position of assistant editor, and later editor, of the in-house company newspaper Tarmac World.

John spent 20 years at Tarmac, where he won awards ten years in a row in a national competition for house journals.

He was also elected a fellow of the British Association of Industrial Editors, putting him among only 50 worldwide.

In 1990, he left the company to start his own editorial design consultancy producing a number of quality magazines for the coal trade.

Outside of work, John was involved with scouting and local football in Worcester.

Former colleague and Worcester News writer Mike Grundy said: “John was an extremely genuine man with an incredible sense of humour, which shone through, especially in the cartoons he produced.

“I am certain he will be much missed by his family and the very many friends and colleagues who either knew him or worked with him throughout his lifetime.”

John leaves a widow Ann, sons John Jnr and Michael, and granddaughter Lily.

His funeral service will be at 2.30pm on Friday 22 January at Worcester Crematorium.