TRIBUTES were paid yesterday following the death of a former teacher who rose to become director of one of the North-East's largest education authorities.

Dr John Williams, who retired as head of education and community services in Sunderland last year, died at his home in Durham, on Friday, aged 55.

Born and brought up in Barrow, now Cumbria, he began his working life teaching in Lancashire. He also worked in North Yorkshire, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight, where he became education director in 1990.

He became the first head of Sunderland's new education and community services department, in 1995.

City council chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "John was not only a highly respected educationalist, he was also a charming, witty colleague.

"His national reputation was highlighted by his achievement in bringing together all the country's major figures for the North of England Education Conference, in 1999.

"We shall all miss him."

City council leader Bob Symonds described him as "a reassuring figurehead and calming influence".

Dr Williams was also involved in organisations including The Woodland Trust, Amnesty International, English Heritage and The National Trust, and became a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts in 1989.

He leaves a wife, Helen, and son, Matthew.

The funeral is at Durham Cathedral on Friday, at 2pm, followed by cremation at Durham Crematorium.