A well-known former head teacher of schools in Shipley and Bingley has died in hospital aged 91.

Alec Hird, of Eldwick, was a popular figure in the community and a founder member and secretary of the Bingley Children's Gala, which began in 1948.

Born in Keighley, he was educated at Keighley Grammar School and Carlton High School in Bradford before studying at Exeter University.

An art teacher, he became deputy head at the former Bingley Modern School, now Beckfoot School, where he worked for 20 years, and was head of Saltaire Road Secondary School from 1961 until his retirement due to ill health in 1969.

He was a president of Bingley Round Table, and was also involved with Bingley Road Safety Committee, Bingley Rotary Club, Bingley 41 Club and Bingley Little Theatre.

Mr Hird was married to Mary, also a teacher at Bingley Modern School, who suffered from Parkinson's Disease and died in 1994.

The couple's son Anthony said: "He had a strong sense of humour and high professional standards, he worked hard and was very interested in the community."

His friend of 50-years Ernest Cropper, of Micklethwaite, said he was "a remarkable and forthright gentleman".

His funeral will take place at Nab Wood on Friday, May 4, at 3pm.