THE director of a popular drama group who nurtured the talents of TV stars John Simm and Lee Ingleby has died at the age of 63.

Brian Wellock, of Delamere Road, Harle Syke, who was also head of drama at Edge End High School, Nelson, for 22 years, died after a heart attack.

While at Edge End, he taught John Simm, who went on to star in Life on Mars, Human Traffic and The Lakes, as well as Lee Ingleby, who went on to roles in the Harry Potter films, as well as appearing alongside Simm in the time-travelling cop series.

He also taught West End stars David Bardsley, James Buller and Paul Jowett, and his wife Joyce said seeing his former pupils on stage and screen were some of his proudest moments.

Mr Wellock joined St James's players, Harle Syke, more than 20 years ago, and soon became director.

He was involved in at least 50 productions and had just finished the run of his latest, "Murder Deferred".

His teaching career began at Walverden Secondary Modern School, Nelson, where he taught English and art and began to hold drama sessions.

He continued to paint at home, despite stopping teaching the subject, and judged the art classes at Barrowford and Todmorden's agricultural shows.

After taking early retirement in 1994, Mr Wellock returned to Edge End to teach part-time, as well as working at Easden Clough Children's Unit, Burnley.

Mrs Wellock said that as well as acting and painting, Mr Wellock was a staunch royalist who also enjoyed gardening.

She said: "In all aspects of his life he demanded standards but he got on with everyone. Every time we happened to meet an ex-pupil they always stopped and had something good to say.

"They would all do anything for Brian and he was immensely proud of them all."

Mr Wellock also leaves his daughter Elizabeth, 26, who has followed her father on to the stage.

The funeral will be on Monday at 1.40pm at Burnley Crematorium.