FRIENDS and colleagues of a headteacher from Leyland who died on Tuesday told the Citizen how they held him in 'the highest regard'.

Barrie Mell was due to retire as headteacher of Bedford High School, in Leigh, when he died following a short illness. He had been headteacher at the school for 18 years.

His successor Stephen Preston, who had been headteacher of a nearby high school for six years, knew Mr Mell both professionally and socially.

He said: "Mr Mell was widely respected in the teaching profession and very popular with all the staff and governors at Bedford High.

"Colleagues held him in the highest regard."

Mr Preston added: "Staff and students, who returned after the summer holidays on August 16, are shocked and in mourning.

"But all our thoughts are with his family. We will be asking them how they would like us to remember him."

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