PUPILS will be saying their final farewells to a "loud and laughing" Rossendale teacher who died in a motorcycle smash earlier this week.

And as part of the tribute, the two schools where he worked will close on the afternoon of his funeral on Monday.

Bikers from all over the North West are also expected to turn-up in memory of Ronald Hodgkinson.

Ronnie, 31, as he was known to friends, had taught at Newchurch Primary School for three years and lived with his parents Frank and Gillian in New Brighton Street.

He was a keen biker who had also taught at Water Country Primary, where he went as a child.

Police said he lost control of his Suzuki bike on Burnley Road East early on Saturday morning and received serious head injuries after colliding with a parked Rover Metro. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A mass of floral tributes have been placed at the spot.

Ronnie's parents were too upset to speak but Tim Cooper, deputy headteacher at Newchurch Primary, paid tribute to his friend and colleague.

He said: "Ronnie was wonderful. He was extremely dedicated and put huge amounts of his own time to benefit the children, not only at our school but throughout the area as secretary of Rossendale Primary School Games Association.

"He had a brilliant sense of humour and can be described in two words as loud and laughing.

"His parents invited the children to the funeral. We are in the process of writing to parents to let them know the school will be closed from noon. The pupils are invited to attend the funeral in school uniform."

The funeral will take place on Monday at St Nicholas' Church, Dark Lane, Newchurch, at 2.15pm before going to Burnley Crematorium at 3.30pm. Donations can be sent in aid of Newchurch Primary, c/o Fred Hamers Funeral Directors, James Street, Rawtenstall.