A RETIRED police sergeant who went on to become a full-time teacher has died of a suspected heart attack aged 50.

It is believed Roger Barlow suffered the suspected heart attack at Crow Wood health club, in Burnley, on Monday.

Mr Barlow joined the police straight from school and served within Pennine Division, but also spent time at police headquarters in Hutton, and at the police training centre, Bruche in Warrington.

And he trained to become a teacher and helped out at Towneley High School, in Burnley, in his spare time while still working as a policeman.

When he left the force after 30 years, he became a full-time teacher at Towneley High School, teaching history and RE.

He made swift progress and was soon made head of RE.

Alan Riley was a humanities teacher at Towneley when Mr Barlow asked him to be his mentor while he retrained.

The 52-year-old said: "It became evident straight away he had what it takes. His experience in the police meant even the most difficult children were not a problem for him. He was very friendly and would do anything for anyone.

"This has come as a big shock."

Police said Mr Barlow was pronounced dead at Royal Blackburn Hospital.