Former headteacher of Kingsmead School, Brian Collingridge has died at the age of 88.

Mr Collingridge took up the post at the Wiveliscombe school in 1973, becoming Somerset's youngest headteacher at just 32 years of age.

He stayed in the job for 23 years before retiring in 1996. Mr Collingridge would spend the rest of his life in the town, where he served as a local councillor.

Through his tenure the school underwent enormous change, going from an old secondary modern school to a modern comprehensive.

The death of Mr Collingridge was felt keenly in the community, where he spent much of his time helping with local groups like the Wivey Link.

Chair of the Wivey Link Pauline Homeshaw paid tribute to Mr Collingridge as an important member of the community who will be missed by many. She said:

"Brian was a founder member of The Wiveliscombe Area Partnership which was in around 2000.  He was also a founder member of the Wiveliscombe Civic Society in 1997; a founder member, and stalwart contributor on The Wiveliscombe Messenger in 1997 too. 

"On Town Council work, Brian enabled housing for locals and for retired people in town to be built - Tuckers Close and Allenslade, having carried out numerous housing needs surveys. 

"He was part of the Wivey Book Group which, along with Sue Farrington MBE and others, created Wiveliscombe, The History of a Market Town in 2005 He was a very important character in this town, for many years and his knowledge and experience will be much missed."

In a statement Kingsmead School said: "We were very sorry to hear of the passing of former headteacher Brian Collingridge.

"He led the school for many years and remained keenly involved after he retired in 1996.

"Most recently he visited the new buildings to see how things were changing and to gather more details for the third version of his history of the school. Our thoughts are with his family."

Tributes were also paid across social media, with many students sharing their fond memories of their former headteacher.

Paula Renouf said: "A well respected, fair headmaster, with a heart. He knew all the pupils"

Sue Pope said: "He will be remembered with gratitude by many, including me."

And Graham Owen commented: "So sorry to see this news, Brian will be very sadly missed by all who knew him and the whole community of Wiveliscombe for whom he was such a generous-hearted servant and wonderful friend."

Mr Collingridge is survived by his wife Shirley, and his three sons and six grandchildren.