A Bradford school teacher has reportedly been found dead in Majorca after going missing from his hotel.

Police investigations are being concluded on the Spanish holiday island which are expected to confirm that the body of a British national discovered on a wooded mountain track is that of Grange Technology College teacher, David Parkinson.

The 57-year-old, originally from the Barrow area of Cumbria, but now living in Hipperholme, frequently went on holiday alone after splitting from his wife, according to his neighbour Chris Marshall.

Mr Marshall said he had been left to water the plants at Mr Parkinson’s house when police informed him of their investigation.

“I only knew him for five years, but he was a true friend. He was a brilliant man. You could tell his mood from the music he played in the morning. He loved The Beatles and would come round to apologise for singing.”

Mr Parkinson gained a First-Class Honours degree in pharmacology, spent three years as a professional songwriter and musician and worked as a school science technician before joining Grange Technology College in 1983 as a science teacher.

In a statement, Paul Burluraux, headteacher of Grange, said: “Dave had the ability to find ways of putting across complex scientific concepts in creative and exciting ways. No amount of effort was too much for him in the fantastic work he did for students.

“Those who knew Dave will agree that he was a complex, creative and deeply-committed person. His two passions – Barrow-in-Furness Football Club and the learning of his students were probably equal in status and of the highest quality. We will miss him greatly.”

The school is considering how to pay tribute to Mr Parkinson. Written suggestions are welcome from former pupils and staff, sent to the school marked ‘DP’.

A spokesman for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed it had been made aware of the death of a British national in Majorca on August 24, although formal identification procedures were not yet completed.