A former Ilkley Middle School head teacher has died aged 83.

Harold Baker was headmaster of the school from its inception in 1970 until his retirement in 1991. He suffered from Alzheimer’s in later years and died following a short illness.

Mr Baker was born in Windhill in 1928 and spent his childhood in Sutton-in-Craven. After National Service, he got his BA in Economics at Leeds University and qualified as a teacher in July 1953.

Following his retirement, he became a life member of the National Association of Head Teachers.

A funeral will be held on Monday at Skipton Crematorium at 11.40am.