TRIBUTES have been paid to a Catholic priest who served on Teesside for more than 20 years.

Father Ian Stewart, 61, parish priest at Yarm, died on Friday after a long illness.

Fr Stewart was originally from York, but moved to Teesside after he was ordained in 1977.

He began his ministry as assistant priest at St Thomas More, in Middlesbrough, before moving to St Gabriel's, at Ormesby.

In 1991, Fr Stewart became parish priest of St Anne's, Eston, where he was appointed as the diocesan director of education, a position he held until his appointment as parish priest at St Mary and Romuald in Yarm, in 1995.

A spokesman for the Middlesbrough diocese said: "Father Stewart was a private man, but always a very pleasant and understanding person.

"He was always quick to show an understanding of other people's backgrounds and interests. The time he gave to the care of the sick will always be remembered.

"Ian bore his long suffering with great courage and dignity."

Fr Stewart's body will be received into the church of St Mary and St Romuald at 7pm tomorrow, followed by mass.

The funeral mass, to be taken by the Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Right Reverend John Crawley, will be celebrated at the cathedral, Coulby Newham, at noon, on Friday