A FORMER senior figure in Darlington education has died following a long illness.

Dr Harold Williams worked for 22 years in senior positions at Darlington College of Technology.

His retirement, in 1986, aged 64, followed 12 years as vice-principal.

Before that appointment, he had been head of the engineering department for ten years.

Dr Williams died on Wednesday last week. Simon Cassidy, the college's head of personnel, said it was understood he had suffered a long illness.

A doctor in mechanical engineering, Dr Williams was also a keen organist and played in churches.

He lived in Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, with his wife, Jean. They had four children: Liz, Ros, Judy and Chris.

His funeral takes place at St John of God Church, Scorton, next Monday, at 11am, followed by a private cremation.