An outstanding Keighley scholar and published author has died aged 44, after a long illness.

The brilliant career of Michael Camille began at primary school but it was at Oakbank School that his creative and academic flair blossomed.

Former Oakbank head of art Audrey Collingham recalls: "He was an exceptionally gifted pupil who excelled both creatively and in his studies in art history.

It was no surprise he went on to achieve so much."

Mr Camille, whose family home was on Lawnswood Road, Keighley, gained ten O-levels and five A-levels at A grade while at the school and went on to study at Cambridge University.

He had entered the Joint Colleges Examination with a painting of the Crucifixion and with the award went a place to read for honours in English and Art History at Peterhouse College.

Peterhouse is the oldest and smallest of all Cambridge colleges and offered no more than ten such places every year.

Mr Camille went on to change his studies to a straight art history course and graduated with a double first degree. He then took a PhD course at Cambridge and went on to lecture in mediaeval art. Mr Camille moved to Illinois, Chicago where he enjoyed an 18-year long career as a professor in mediaeval art history.

His mother Mavis said: "He was such a gifted person and his father and I are both so proud of him.

He went on to write six books and it really was his life.

He was based in Chicago but he had an apartment in Paris, a city that he loved because of the art there. We were devastated last year when he collapsed in August - he had a brain tumour and they just couldn't stop it spreading in the end.

"We'll really miss him but to create such a lot and do so much with his life makes us very proud." The service will be held in Chicago.