A man whose taste buds gave the seal of approval to beers in Abingdon has died at the age of 65.

John Hitchcock, former landlord of the old Queens pub in the Market Place, was on the tasting panel of Morland Brewery.

Mr Hitchcock was born in Bromley in Kent and met his wife Valerie at a catering college in London - they married in 1962. The couple had spells at The Star pub at East Ilsley, the social club at AERE Harwell, and The Queens pub in the Market Place, Abingdon.

In 1974 they moved to the newly built Magic Midget pub, now called The Midget, in Preston Road.

In 1979 Mr Hitchcock became the brewery trade manager for Morland. He was a member of the tasting panel of Old Speckled Hen beer, and also helped develop Hen's Tooth. Mr Hitchcock, of Tennyson Drive, later joined quality-testers Cask Marque. He retired in the summer.

Son-in-law Paul Blackler said: "John will be sorely missed by many in the Abingdon area."

He is survived by his wife, two daughters Sarah and Adele, and two grandchildren. A funeral service will be at 12 noon next Monday at Oxford Crematorium.