FORMER Melksham businessman Doug Hiam has died after suffering a heart attack.

Paramedics were called to the Arden Close home of 65-year-old Mr Hiam on Saturday but were unable to save him.

Wife Ann said cards and tributes had flooded in for her husband who owned D J Hiam newsagents' and stationers, in Market Place for 17 years.

A former chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Hiam was an active fundraiser for the town's Christmas lights appeal.

Brighton-born Mr Hiam started work as a paperboy at 15 with WH Smith. After returning from three years' national service he returned to W H Smith, became a manager and moved to the Melksham branch in 1959. He married 43 years ago and leaves four daughters and six grandchildren.

His funeral is at West Wiltshire crematorium at Semington at 4pm on July 12.