A close friend of a former North Walsham High School teacher has paid tribute to 'a very generous man'.

Charles Agambia, of Prince of Wales Road in Cromer, died on August 7 at the age of 72 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Sandema, Ghana, in 1939, he was the second of five children and won a scholarship to study in England at the age of 17.

Friend of 13 years, Pat Howard described him as a 'generous and smiley' man and said: 'He had a love for learning throughout his entire life.'

After gaining qualifications in advanced pure mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, chemistry and nursing Mr Agambia started working as psychiatric nurse but soon moved to Cromer where he started his teaching career.

He taught mathematics and computers studies at North Walsham High School.

Mrs Howard said: 'Even after years of retirement he was accosted by the young people he had taught.

'The last few years of Charles's life were very difficult for him, his health was not good and he became quite reclusive, but he was a devout Christian and regular churchgoer and took comfort from the many friends he had amongst his teaching colleagues and church friends and Bible studies group.

'His death came too soon for us all.'

Mr Agambia was from a large family, who also paid their respects to him through a tribute read at his funeral at St Faith's Crematorium on Tuesday, August 21.

The tribute read: 'Charles was a very kind person who was always willing to help anybody. He helped his brothers and sisters to further their education which has contributed so much in their lives and also improved their lives now.

'Rest in peace Charles.'

Around 70 former students have left tributes on Mr Agambia's facebook wall, many describing him as a 'teaching legend'.