A FORMER headteacher and amateur dramatics enthusiast has died at the age of 86.

Friends of Ernest Kenyon, Granville Road, Blackburn, paid tribute to a “lovely man” who passed away last Tuesday after a long battle against illness.

Eddie Hammond, 67, Shear Brow, Blackburn, had known the former Wensley Fold Primary School headteacher for the past 42 years and said he would be missed by all who knew him.

Mr Hammond said: “He has been very involved in Samlesbury Players, Blackburn Drama Club and Accrington Arts Club.

"He was a stickler for detail in all the plays he was involved in.

“He was a lovely man and all I know about stage craft I learned from him.”

Mr Hammond said that the library at Wensley Fold Primary, Manor Road, Blackburn, had been named the Kenyon Library in recognition of his work at the school for many years.

Mr Kenyon leaves Doreen, two sons Andrew and David, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.