Former Christian Malford Primary School headteacher Alan Meredith has died at the age of 74.

Mr Meredith, who was born in Dagenham, joined the RAF when he turned 18 and trained to be a navigator. He came to Wiltshire in 1952 when he was posted to Hullavington Navigation School.

During his time in the RAF he was posted throughout the country as well as Singapore.

After marrying Jean in 1955, the couple went on to have three children - Rachel, Paul, Jill and seven grandchildren.

The family returned to Wiltshire in 1970 when Mr Meredith took over the position as warden of the teachers centre in Dallas Road, Chippenham.

Shortly after, he moved to Frogwell School before accepting the headship at Christian Malford Primary School from 1976-1979.

Daughter Rachel, who still lives in Chippenham with her family, said: "He was such an active man - always involved with the community.

"I remember making him promise to never be a headteacher at my school because I was afraid of what the other children would say.

"He was a brilliant dad but he was a headmaster through and through - there was no undone homework in our house.

"He was so well known around the town - I get stopped regularly as people recognise me and ask about my dad. He was an active member of St Peter's Church and a keen golfer."

After leaving the post in Chippenham, Mr Meredith moved to Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucester-shire to take the headship at St David's School until he retired in 1997.

He then moved to Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, with his wife to be close to Jill, Paul and their children.

A thanksgiving service will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church, Keyworth, on September 20 at 3.30pm.