TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Blackburn headteacher who died suddenly at home.

Alan Robinson, 70, was well-known as head of St Charles’ RC Primary School in Rishton from 1983 to 1995.

The father-of-three and granddad-of-two was born in Blackburn in 1944 and attended St Peter's Primary School and then St Mary’s College.

He went to teacher training college in Manchester and taught at St Anthony’s RC Primary School in Blackburn in the early 70s.

He took a job as the deputy headteacher at St Anne’s RC Primary School in Burnley before joining St Charles’s.

In 1995, he took early retirement but continued as a supply teacher at St Charles’s until 2008.

Mr Robinson married Maureen in 1972 and although they separated in 2004 they remained firm friends.

Together they had three children, Andrew, Catherine and Anthony, and were grandparents to Ruby and Iris.

Son Anthony, speaking on behalf of the family, said: “Stories of his past have served as a humbling reminder about the gentleman, the giant in teaching, the gentle giant of the cricket field, that dad was.

“My dad was a very kind, gracious man, a gentleman in all walks of his life, a born sportsman, and a truly dedicated teacher.

“All three of us believe that if we turn out to be half as intelligent, kind, good-mannered as my dad then we’ll be doing right by him.”

In his teens, Mr Robinson was a member of St Peter’s RC Church and appeared in numerous pantomimes.

He also represented Mill Hill St Peter’s football team as a goalkeeper.

He played cricket all his life, and in 1976 when the family moved to Cherry Tree, he joined Cherry Tree Cricket Club and captained the third team.

In his 50s he completed the London Marathon in aid of the mental health charity, MIND.

His funeral is tomorrow at St Mary’s RC Church in Langho from 10am.