TRIBUTES have been paid to former teacher, Blackburn Cathedral churchwarden and magistrate Michael Emery who passed away earlier this week.

The 68-year-old died at his Wilpshire home from cancer on Wednesday surrounded by his family.

Friends and colleagues praised his warmth, kindness and sense of humour.

Talented musician Mr Emery met his teacher wife Kathleen on the day Pleckgate School opened in 1968 and they retired together 38 years later in 2007.

Born in Darwen, he was educated at Holy Trinity Primary, Darwen Grammar School and Saltley College, Birmingham.

He joined Pleckgate as a music teacher, rising to run the department and then become assistant head.

Mr Emery, who has two sons Mark, 35, and Simon, 38, and a five-year-old grandson Hector, was a magistrate from 1993 to 2016 and chairman of the East Lancashire bench from 2010 to 2013.

A lifelong Blackburn Rovers fan, he was organist and choirmaster at St Cuthbert’s Church in Darwen for many years before taking his talents to the cathedral.

His 95-year-old mother Edna still lives in Darwen.

Son Simon said: “My father was lively and active to the end who died peacefully at home.

“He was playing the piano with Hector, whom he loved to take to Ewood Park, on Monday night.

“We have had so many tributes to him on Facebook, often from former pupils.

“He was a warm-hearted man who will be missed by his family and many people whom he touched during his life.”

Cathedral Canon Ian Stockton said: “Michael Emery was an exemplary churchwarden, a thoughtful, kind and courteous Christian man with a great sense of humour.

“I shall miss greatly our conversations and laughter and his gifts of friendship and fairness.”

A spokesman from Pleckgate School said: “Michael had a huge and positive impact on the lives of thousands of students.

“His legacy continues to this day, through his compassion, thoughtfulness and kind and sense of humour.”

His funeral will be at Blackburn Cathedral at noon a week on Monday.

Mr Emery played several instruments including the piano and organ.

He leaves his wife Kathleen, mother Edna, two sons Mark and Simon, daughter-in-law Louise and grandson Hector.