THE funeral service of a teacher who collapsed and died in front of his pupils was centred on his two young children.

Nick Furlonger, 39, died during rehearsals for a musical at Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle.

A service at St Leonards, Langho, was followed by cremation at Pleasington yesterday.

Mr Furlonger, of Wilpshire, Blackburn, leaves his wife Jude and children Ruth and Josh.

Headteacher Barry Burke said: "At the wishes of Nick's wife the funeral was centred on his two young children and was a very low key affair.

"It was not the kind of service I have been to before and it really worked.

"It was very moving, very touching and very appropriate."

Teachers and a small group of students attended the service.

Mrs Furlonger asked for donations to be sent to the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Burke said Mr Furlonger, a media studies and English teacher, was believed to have suffered a blood clot as he took part in a dance routine for the school's musical Snow White and the Seven Deadly Sins last Tuesday.

The tragedy was the second shock this year for the school. Design technology teacher Dennis Winkley, 51, was found dead in his car at his Huncoat home on January 19. A pipe was connected to the exhaust.

Mr Winkley is believed to have been suffering from depression.

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