A former managing director and chairman of Southwold-based Adnams has died at the age of 92.

John Adnams, grandson of the company's co-founder, Ernest Adnams, joined the Adnams board in 1956 and became managing director in 1963, remaining in the post until 1973 when he became chairman of the company.

On his retirement as chairman in 1995 he was appointed president of Adnams (later becoming life president) but continued to serve as a non-executive director until 2005.

In an announcement on its website, the company said that Mr Adnams died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, July 22.

'John was held in great esteem and respected by all who came into contact with him both within Adnams and across the wider industry,' the statement said.

'John oversaw a huge growth in Adnams beer production and the modernisation of a brewery that had been unchanged since 1896. John was also instrumental in setting up Broadside Farm, a forward-thinking business that used waste products from the brewery to feed pigs on the Adnams Farm.

'John was a highly effective and confident chairman who held true to a sense of identity for Adnams plc in fast-changing times.'

It added: 'Our heartfelt and sincere condolences go to John's family at this difficult time.'