A former head teacher of Hothfield School died peacefully at his home in Silsden aged 65, on December 30.

Mr Peter West was head teacher at the school for 17 years and took early retirement in 1994.

Born in London, Mr West always had a deep appreciation of music and sang as a treble in the Hampton Court Choir.

But it wasn't until he came to Catterick to do his national service that his affection for Yorkshire was kindled. He fell in love with the county and with Mary, from Bolton Abbey, who was to become his wife. He set up home with her and stayed in Yorkshire for the rest of his life to bring up his family.

The 40 years he spent here were filled with various career moves - he taught throughout the area, including Parkwood School in Keighley, in Shipley and at Hothfield School, in Silsden. Since he took early retirement he had indulged his love of music. Although Mr West played musical instruments his main passion was for singing.

He was a member of Keighley Vocal Union for 30 years and a member of the Nelson Area Male Voice Choir for 25 years.

Fell walking was another of his hobbies and he enjoyed walking with friends in Scotland, Wales and the Pennines.

Friend Frank Smith says: "He loved theatre, literature and opera. He was a man of broad intellect, an old fashioned English gentleman and courtesy was at the very heart of him. He was generous and kind and will be sadly missed by us all."

He leaves behind his wife Mary, daughters Honor and Carolyn and grandsons Matthew and Christopher.