A former Argus journalist with a passion for apostrophes will feature alongside a traffic cone enthusiast and milk bottle collector in a ‘dull men’ calendar.

Punctuation supremo John Richards, 91, spent years correcting spelling and grammar while working as a sub-editor.

His crusade against bad punctuation carried on into his retirement when he formed the Apostrophe Protection Society in 2001 – a solo campaign that politely alerts people and businesses to proper use of apostrophes whenever they are spotted flouting rules.

For his efforts John, who used to live in Hove but now resides in Boston, Lincolnshire, will star in the 2015 Dull Men’s Club calendar – a new tongue-in-cheek calendar featuring men duller than dishwater.

John, who stars as Mr October, is pictured scrutinising a pub sign for apostrophe abuse.

He said: “I spent most of my time as a reporter and sub-editor, including at The Argus in the 1960s, and the misuse of apostrophes by reporters was a constant irritation. When I retired I started the Apostrophe Protection Society and wasn’t expecting very much.

“But within weeks it went worldwide. I received emails from over 70 different countries, the majority asking for advice on use of apostrophes, and I’d tell them where they should go.”

He added: “I shall never know why people can’t grasp it because it couldn’t be simpler.”

Mr Richards was approached by the Dull Men’s Club – an organisation of more than 5,000 members – and agreed to star in the new calendar.

He said: “They phoned me and asked to come and take some photographs. I said yes and we went around taking pictures.”

Asked whether he really was a dull man, Mr Richards said: “I’ve been very flattered because so many people have emailed me to say that I am not dull.

“I prefer eccentric. I might sound dull but all I am doing is following a hobby. I think the people who don’t have hobbies are the dull ones.”

Other men to star in the calendar include a man who photographs roundabouts and a retired greenkeeper who loves lawnmowers.

The calendar will be available to buy on Amazon from October 21 and can be pre-ordered now.