TRIBUTES have been paid to a Longridge teacher who has died aged 42.

Staff, pupils and friends attended the funeral of Christopher Wood who was head of science at St Cecelia's RC High School, on Friday.

The teacher, who leaves behind wife Sally, and three children Lucy, David and Anna, was on a cycle ride when he began to feel unwell and died on the way to hospital, on May 4.

During the funeral at the United Reformed Church in Penwortham a eulogy was read out by Reverand David Coaker.

He said: "We have all gathered today because we knew Chris. Whether that was as a family member; as husband, son, father or other relative, as a friend, colleague, neighbour, or someone you just knew.

"Each of us bring our memories of him, the respect in which we held him, and our grief and our sorrow for his family as we come together to mark his passing and to celebrate all that he was."

Chris was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, to John and Deanna and grew up in Chatteris.

He attended local schools and showed an early interest in biology by offering to mind the school's mice over a summer. The summer holiday began with three mice and 33 returned back to school come September.

He went on to Durham University to study molecular biology and biochemistry.

While he was there he joined the university Air Squadron and enjoyed flying and parachuting.

On graduation he started work in Sussex for Q Labs as a research microbiologist. After about 18 months he was offered a transfer north to Preston wher he met his wife Sally and they were married in 1995.

In September of that year he had a career change and started teacher training.

His first teaching position was at Ivy Bank High School in Padiham in 1996 where he stayed for three years before moving to St. Cecilia's in Longridge.

Rev Coaker added: "He loved his job, and he was a well loved teacher and colleague.

"One of his pupils set up a page on Facebook and some of the comments include: 'awesome', 'a legend' and 'the only one who believed in me'.

"He had clearly found his calling in life."

"Chris enjoyed fishing - even managing to catch tea on occasion.

"He was proud of, and he loved his family, and they in turn adored and loved him."

Chris lived in Penwortham with his family.