STAFF at Prestwich Community High School are mourning the sudden death of their popular head caretaker.

Mr Dennis Fendlen, of Rupert Street, Radcliffe, died in Fairfield Hospital on Thursday of last week (July 15). He had been ill for some time.

The 63-year-old, an upholsterer by trade, leaves three children and four grandchildren. The funeral service will take place at St Mary's Church, Radcliffe, today (Fri July 23) at 9.30am.

Tribute to the head caretaker has been paid by Mr Geoff Barlow, headteacher at Prestwich Community High School.

He said: "Dennis became our assistant caretaker in 1993 and then our head caretaker in 1995. He had been poorly for some time and off work for several months.

"The day before the school broke up, we heard the sad news that he had died. Dennis was a lovely man, extremely conscientious and thoroughly professional. He will be a great loss and our thoughts at this time are with his family."