Michael Belson, right, a much-loved figure in the publishing industry and a former head reader at Oxford University Press, has died aged 66.

Mr Belson joined the Jericho-based publisher in 1958 as an apprentice, and rose through the ranks. He started setting out metal type and moved to proof reading.

He was also the last editor of the OUP's staff newspaper, The Clarendonian.

When the company’s print shop in Walton Street closed down in 1989, Mr Belson became a copy editor in the publishing department before becoming head reader.

In 2001, he left OUP to become a freelance editor and proof reader specialising in legal books. And in 2003, Mr Belson wrote his own book On The Press about his time at OUP.

OUP archivist Martin Maw, said: "He was a much-loved man.

"He did everything from writing poetry to pantomimes.

"At his funeral someone said when they were asked what they thought of in connection with him, they said ‘sunshine’."

Mr Belson died on September 7 after losing his battle with cancer. His funeral was at All Saints' Church in Lydalls Road, Didcot, on Tuesday.

He is survived by his wife Ros and their two daughters.