A MAN who taught in Blackburn for almost 40 years has died at his home in Shrewsbury.

Robert Hamilton Longsan began his teaching career at Bangor Street Secondary School in 1947 after returning from the war.

He had joined the Army in 1935, was taken prisoner in Hong Kong and spent four and a half years in a prisoner of war camp in Japan.

When he returned to Blackburn, he went to teacher training college and began teaching crafts. He married his wife Margaret in 1948, and later taught at Accrington Road before moving to Witton Park High School in 1957.

He taught there until he retired in 1974 and moved to Shrewsbury.

His wife said: "He had 25 years of very happy retirement."

Mr Longsan, who was 86, also leaves two daughters. The funeral will take place on Thursday in Shrewsbury.

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