A weekly newspaper’s long-serving former production manager has died aged 65 just five weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Tributes have been paid to Paul Southall, who worked in the pre-press department of the Stourbridge News for 41 years.

Starting out as an apprentice in 1975, Paul, pictured, eventually oversaw the production of several of Newsquest’s West Midlands titles include the Stourbridge and Halesowen & Dudley News, Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Advertiser and Redditch Advertiser.

In later years he managed the print production operation single-handedly from the Stourbridge office before being made redundant in 2016.

Paul, pictured, learned he was suffering from cancer in September and tragically it was too late for treatment as the disease had already spread rapidly. He died at home on 17 October.

Peter John, former editor and publisher of the Stourbridge News, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of Paul’s premature passing. I had seen him around Stourbridge a few times in the last few weeks, while wearing his trademark hat and permanent smile, so the news came as a great shock.

“Paul was one of those absolutely indispensable but often unsung ‘back room’ members of staff at Stourbridge and later for other papers across the Midlands region of Newsquest.

“His production skills were legendary. Originally a printer, he’d mastered the new skills required because of the technological revolution in newspapers and had become, so often, the ‘late night man’ who saved the day on deadline and worked one of his regular computer miracles to get the papers out when some technical calamity threatened.

Pete Wallace, print audience and content editor at Newsquest, added: “Suggy was a true ‘old school’ newspaper man, and an inspiration and mentor to so many people over the years.

“He steered his pre-press print production team through many changes as technology developed, and his adaptability and versatility shone through regardless of the challenges he faced. If a problem raised its head, the response was invariably ‘Suggy will know the answer’. And he always did!

“But much more than that, he was a dear friend to his colleagues, with his wicked sense of humour and supportive nature. He will be truly missed.”

Paul leaves a son Ben and daughter Rebecca, two grandchdilren, a younger brother and his partner of 16-years Sheila.

Said Rebecca: “Work was his life, but he was a fun dad and he loved his life. He was happy with what he had and grateful. He was very loved.”

Paul’s funeral service will be held on Friday November 15 at 11am at Stourbridge Crematorium followed by a wake at The Gig Mill pub, Norton.