Former Morning News editor Compton Ifill, of Jury Street, Warwick, died only a few hours into the new year after a long illness.

Born in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1936, his career included editing a paper in Wimbledon and working on New Scientist, as well as a period as a farmer.

His final job was as supplements editor of the Birmingham Post. Former colleague Steve Pain remembers Mr Ifill, known to many as Mac, as a journalist of the 'old school'.

He said: "To cross Mac was to experience volcanic wrath. Wrath based on decades of experience in a profession he loved – but at times left.

"To most he was a mystery man, a very modest man who tried very hard to hide his military background, a period when he was fighting hard for his beliefs and spending years behind the barbed wire of a prisoner of war camp in Guyana."

Mr Pain remembers Mr Ifill as a fierce taskmaster with an uncanny ability to spot and nurture new talent.

He said: "Many journalists endured a Mac tongue lashing in their formative years before moving on to greater things.

"He was in turn considerate, stern, kind and, if truth be told, a bit of a blighter to work with. A true professional - there can be no greater praise than that."

Mr Ifill retired from the Birmingham Post aged 66 and joined Warwick Rotary Club, in which he was active helping young people in the town.

Alan Bailey was president while Mr Ifill was the club's press spokesman. He said: "He was a very amenable, warm chap who would easily make conversation, relate to all around him and usually had some good tales to tell.

"You could rely on Mac to be there."

Mr Ifill is survived by his wife Patience, four children and 11 grandchildren.