TRIBUTES have been paid to a teacher who has died aged 56.
Martin Bennett, of Lanchester, had been teaching in County Durham since 1971. For the past 13 years he was headteacher of Woodham Burn Junior School, Newton Aycliffe.
Mr Bennett, who died two weeks ago after a short illness, was described by parents of pupils as "a gentle man and a gentleman". Governors said he made the school a friendly place.
Keith Mitchell, director of education at Durham County Council, said: "Martin was an influential member of our community of headteachers and will be sorely missed by his colleagues, both in schools and other education services."
He leaves a wife, Maureen, and two children.
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