Tributes have been paid to a former regional daily journalist described as a “real newsroom character and old-fashioned eccentric”.

Rob Miller, left, worked at the Oxford Mail for around 11 years, initially on its magazines and supplements team before later serving on the subs desk.

There he took special responsibility for the free weekly Oxford Star, among other tasks.

Rob also wrote a weekly column for the Mail’s entertainments supplement, called The Miller’s Tale, for a number of years, in which he took a wry look at Oxford life.

He took voluntary redundancy from the newspaper in 2011.

It is believed he had just turned 50 prior to his death.

An Oxford Mail spokesman said: “Those who remember him were shocked and saddened at news of Rob’s death. He was a real newsroom character and an old-fashioned eccentric.”

Prior to his time with the Mail, it is understood Rob worked for the Oxford Journal.

Former Mail editor Simon O’Neill posted on Twitter: “So sorry to hear that former [Oxford Mail] colleague Rob Miller has died.”