Warm tributes have been paid to a Bungay community stalwart who worked tirelessly for the benefit of local residents across a large area of north Suffolk and south Norfolk.

David Wuyts died at the James Paget University Hospital on Friday, October 31, at the age of 91, following a fall at his Bungay home.

Together with his wife Joan, Mr Wuyts was a driving force and inspiration to get a new community centre for Bungay and was also chairman of the Three Rivers Talking Newspaper for many years.

Under his leadership the talking newspaper, which records stories from the Beccles and Bungay Journal every , embraced new technology and currently provides memory sticks containing all the week's news to blind and partially sighted people living in the Bungay, Beccles, Halesworth and Loddon areas.

Mrs Wuyts said: 'We have been married for 68 years and together David and I were determined to do what we could to support our local community.

'He was a tireless worker and used to describe me as his right hand man.'

Long time friend and nature writer for our sister paper the EDP, Rex Hancy, said: 'David did so much good work for the community but never made a song and dance about it.

'I first met him when producing some nature pieces and it was a pleasure to have known him and be such a close friend.

'He had some wonderful stories to tell about his wartime experiences flying in Liberators but it was his work for the local community that he deserves to be remembered.'

Martin Evans worked alongside Mr Wuyts both with the community centre project and on the talking newspaper.

'David was a supreme initiator. I don't think the town could ever appreciate just how often he was involved in the setting up and managing of so many community projects, despite being quite severely disabled, particularly in the latter years.

'Through his involvement with Neighbourhood Watch, he served as chairman on the Crime Prevention panel from its earliest days, taking part in the police pod in the street fairs as well as other venues, explaining home security to visitors.

'He was instrumental in the creation of the Three Rivers Talking Newspaper that recorded readings from the Beccles and Bungay Journal every week for blind and partially sighted listeners,' said Mr Evans.

'In addition he produced their Waveney Valley magazine every three months for many years, interviewing local people about their lives and interests.

'He was involved with the Bungay Rotary Club from its early beginnings. Through that organisation and its conversion of the old army building that became our community centre in Upper Olland Street, he was responsible for its management for many decades.

'His great wish was to see the new centre come into being. In fact he did live to see the start of the adjoining children's play park that will be part of the new centre complex,' added Mr Evans.

Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Wuyts? Contact david.lennard@archant.co.uk