THE death of a retired Dudley primary school teacher has left his former colleagues “heartbroken”.

Graham Hodgson, who worked at Netherbrook Primary School for 21 years, was killed in a car accident in Cyprus on Wednesday November 27, aged 58.

The father-of-three from Wordsley, Stourbridge, taught at the Chester Road school from 1989 until his retirement in 2010.

Headteacher Phil Rawlings said although he had not worked alongside Mr Hodgson, those who had, spoke highly of him.

He said: "From what I have heard from the rest of the staff, he was a real gentleman, someone who would go out of his way to support other people, an excellent teacher and someone people respected.

"Staff as a whole are really shocked and heartbroken and he will be missed by those that knew him."

Mr Hodgson had been in Cyprus with his wife Paula, for three months prior to his death, volunteering in partnership with a local church and university to support and encourage international students.

He had assisted students with their English while his wife, also a retired teacher, taught them to swim.

They had ambitions of eventually making a permanent move to the country, where they had made many friends.

His daughter, Lorna Hodgson, aged 25, described her father as "a devoted husband, loving father and committed Christian".

She told the News: "He was man of great integrity, a true gentlemen and a humble servant - always putting others first.”

The funeral will take place at 2pm on Thursday (December 12) at Calvary Church, Stalling's Lane, Kingswinford.