A memorial service honouring a passionate supporter of one of Suffolk’s most prized natural landscapes is being held next week.

Friends and associates of David Andren, who was credited for his “tireless work” with the Alde and Ore Estuary, will pay tribute to his life and achievements during a service at Orford Parish Church on Tuesday.

Fellow members of the Alde and Ore Estuary Association, which Mr Andren joined in 1999, have spoken of his “ground-breaking” work, challenging the government’s approach to managing the region.

A skilled economist, who served in the Treasury alongside senior politicians Lord Butler and Harold Lever MP during the 1960s, Mr Andren’s experience was said to have been pivotal in improving relations between the community and government regarding the estuary.

As chairman of the association, Mr Andren spearheaded the 2008 strategy document Alde and Ore Estuary: Framework for the Future, which was credited as leading to the formation of the Alde and Ore Estuary Partnership, providing “a real instrument for upgrading the river defences”.

Alison Andrews, the association’s chairman, said: “The estuary and the association owe him unbounded thanks for his tireless work, achieving for the estuary a national profile as a jewel to be fostered, a resource to be properly maintained for the benefit of so many people who live, work and spend their leisure time here.

“He used his many gifts of intellect and character for the common good. We are all hugely indebted to him.”

Alongside his work with the association, Mr Andren was also passionate about sailing, which he first started when his family came to Aldeburgh in the late 1940s.

A resident of Orford, he was a member of Aldeburgh Yacht Club and Orford Sailing Club, and was said to have helped many other sailors of all ages with his knowledge.

Rosemary Close-Brooks, who became friends with Mr Andren when he was working at the Treasury in London in the 1980s, and remained close after moving to Great Glemham, has spoken of the important support he offered after her husband’s death.

“He was notable as a man not only of great intellect but of enormous generosity to his friends – nothing was too much trouble, he was unstinting in his kindness and took a particular interest in the young,” she said.

“He loved music and the arts and was a generous sponsor to local artistic endeavours – plus of course his public work for the Alde and Ore area, which is well known.”

Mr Andren died, aged 73, on January 24, after a three-month battle with heart disease. He had no surviving immediate family.

Tuesday’s memorial service takes place from 3.30pm, and all those who knew him are welcome to attend.