Warm tributes have been paid to a hugely-respected and well-loved retired Norfolk headteacher, who has died at the age of 67.

Ian Money, who worked across several schools in Norfolk, died after a heart attack.

Mr Money grew up in South Creake, near Fakenham, where his father ran the village garage. He attended South Creake School and Fakenham Grammar School, before beginning his teacher training in Bognor Regis, one month after his 18th birthday.

By the age of 20, he had moved back to Norfolk as a qualified teacher and had begun his career at Stibbard Primary School.

Mr Money's brother Malcolm Money said: 'He was drawn to working with younger children, he always had a caring side and almost a social work outlook. He was interested in the pupils, the parents and the family, not just teaching the child. He had a very 'overall' approach to teaching.'

This approach led to Mr Money setting up evening classes for disabled children when he moved to Wells Primary School, helping to support their education and development.

'He always had a leaning towards special needs education but within his career he never chose to specialise. He was also particularly interested in safeguarding children,' his brother recalled.

Mr Money went on to work with children in schools across Norfolk, taking his first deputy role in Heacham, his first headship at Harpley, and later in Hunstanton and Cromer.

At Cromer's Suffield Park Infant School, as headteacher he was a key figure in establishing a nursery school, making it one of the first schools to have a nursery linked to it. He retired at the age of 60.

Mr Money, who died on March 7, regularly volunteered with charity groups, including Norwich Samaritans, where he took phone calls from people looking for support and helped to train other volunteers.

His partner Andrew Slater said this supportive streak ran through all aspects of his life.

He said: 'His friends included people from all periods of his life; he never forgot anybody. He gave support and friendship and lent a non-judgemental ear to many, including those sometimes marginalised by society. He was a much-loved local man who will be hugely missed by many, many people.'