The Reverend Ben Sasada a well-known and respected member of the Diss community has died.

A priest for more than 30 years, the 83-year-old had served the Dickleburgh group of parishes , Diss and also helped in many parishes across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Mr Sasada, who lived with his wife Rene on Walcott Green, was also a religious education and English teacher at Diss High School for 37 years.

Jan Hunt, headteacher at the school, said Mr Sasada was 'respected by all who knew him' and was also a 'great badminton player'.

She said: 'The school is sorry to learn of his passing – he was a pillar of the community.'

A prominent member of the community, the father and grandfather was part of the Diss and District Rotary Club for a number of years.

Former president Dick Mitchell said: 'I have lived in Diss all my life and was educated at what is now Diss High School and Ben taught me at school. At that time when I was there, he was one of the most respected teachers at the school and I had known him ever since.

'I respected him all my adult life.'

Mr Sasada died on December 24.

A Requiem Mass will be held at Eye parish church on Friday, January 20 at 1pm which will be followed by a private burial.

What are your memories of Mr Sasada? Email rebecca.murphy@archant.co.uk