A FALKLANDS veteran and teacher at Perins School has died aged 55.

Bryan Winter, of Bradshaw Close, Fair Oak, taught at the school for 12 years before he fell ill at the beginning of the year. Prior to his teaching career, Mr Winter was a warrant officer in the Royal Marines for 22 years. He was awarded the South Atlantic, General Service and British Empire medals.

He was so popular with pupils at the school that two children went to a Southampton versus Leeds United football match last season to get Mr Winter a signed shirt from his beloved Yorkshire team.

Janice Bernard, head teacher at Perins, said: "We're very, very sad. He was a lovely man, very well organised, very disciplined and really hard working but at the same time very modest and unassuming."

Mrs Bernard said 15 teachers and other support staff would be attending the funeral service. She added children were not at school on the day of the funeral but that they were free to attend. The school will be holding a separate commemoration service later.

Andrea Campbell-Smith, 27, Mr Winter's step-daughter, said: "He was a caring father and a devoted granddad. I know the kids at the school really appreciated him."

Mr Winter is survived by his wife, Jeanette, who is a catering manager at Perins School, son, Paul, 27, three step-daughters, Helen Baker, 30, Andrea Campbell-Smith, 27 and Barbara Campbell-Smith, 24, and one granddaughter, Elise, eight.