A FONDLY remembered headteacher who served secondary pupils in Haslingden for nearly three decades has died aged 87.

Richard Marshall spent 28 years in charge of Haslingden High School, previously known as Haslingden Grammar, before retiring in 1992.

One of his main achievements was leading a campaign to save the school's sixth form in the early 1980s, which had been threatened with closure.

Eve Challenger, who was headteacher from 2004 to 2011, said: "Richard was an academic and intellectual strongly committed to meritocracy in education.

"He will be strongly remembered for laying the foundations and the quality of educational opportunity which makes Haslingden High School the outstanding school that it is today."

Mr Marshall, who lived in Great Harwood, took the job in 1964, and was initially responsible for the mammoth task of planning its move from Bury Road to Broadway.

In the 1970s, he led the merger of Haslingden Grammar and Haslingden County Secondary School, on Ryefield Avenue, into a split-site comprehensive, and won plaudits for gaining the loyalty of staff, maintaining academic standards and innovating the pastoral system.

When attempts were made to remove the school's sixth form in the 1980s, Mr Marshall headed the Save Our Sixth Form campaign, which organised public meetings, petitions and billboards in the town centre. The school still has its sixth form today.

In1990, the school won a Curriculum Award for its 'outstanding secondary curriculum and achievements', and Mr Marshall also oversaw its first entry into the prestigious Good State Schools Guide.

The dad-of-one was also a member of the Rossendale Rotary Club, serving as president from 1983 to 1984, and although he was originally a Tottenham fan, he spent many years supporting Blackburn Rovers.

Mr Marshall, who was married to the late Norma Marshall and dad to Susan, died at East Lancashire Hospice on November 29.

A service to give thanks for his life will be held on Monday, December 15 11.30am, at Pleasington Crematorium in Blackburn. Family flowers only.