TRIBUTES have been paid to the jovial Jim Woods, a former advertising manager for the Telegraph & Argus, who has died aged 88.

Mr Woods, who worked for the newspaper from 1973 to 1988, passed away peacefully at his home in Baildon.

One of his sons, 54-year-old Steve Woods, said: "He had a passion for life, and enjoyed his friends, family and people. Wherever he went he lit up the room and you could not fail to be touched by his generosity. He was a very generous bloke.

"He was a glass half-full sort of bloke - and he enjoyed a glass of wine.

"He was much-loved and he will be sadly missed."

Up until last month, Mr Woods was still organising reunions for former T&A staff.

"He was the instigator of T&A reunions," said Mr Woods.

"He still loved the paper and was always ringing up the editor pointing things out."

Twice married - to Beryl, then Joan - Mr Woods leaves two sons, Mark, 58, and Steve, three grandchildren James, Sarah and Thomas, and great grandson Timothy.

Before moving to Bradford and joining the T&A, Mr Woods worked for newspapers in Oxford and Brighton.

"He was in his early 60s when he retired, and he never looked back," said Mr Woods.

"In retirement he travelled extensively. He also researched family history for a lot of people, which was sort of his hobby.

"He enjoyed friendships and people and had lots of friends up and down the country.

"He was a true gentleman."

T&A Editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "Jim lived and breathed newspapers. Even after he retired he would often get in touch to tip me off about stories he’d come across or just to offer some thoughts on the T&A and comments he’d picked up from friends and neighbours.

“He was an old school gentleman, good company and great fun. He spent a good deal of time in his retirement organising get-togethers for former T&A employees and there will be a big gap at those events in future. He will be sadly missed."

Neil Appleton, regional finance director for T&A parent company Newsquest, joined the company in 1981, seven years before Mr Woods retired.

He said: "They were different times. He was a very jovial chap."

Sarah Kitson, head of advertising for the past two years at the T&A, said: "We never met, but he used to ring and email all the time whenever he thought anything was bad or brilliant. He always gave me his opinion, good or bad."

T&A business reporter Chris Holland said: "He was highly-respected and well-liked. He was known as Gentleman Jim."

John Walton, design sub-editor at the T&A, added: "He was extremely dapper and well turned out in a pin-striped suit."

Mr Woods' funeral takes place on Friday at 3.20pm at Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley.