THE funeral of a much-loved former school teacher is due to take place next week.

Brian Johnson, who taught at Hurworth School near Darlington for almost three decades, passed away last week after suffering a stroke at the end of March.

Tributes to the 80-year-old were posted across social media by former students, friends and colleagues.

His wife, Anne, who worked alongside her husband at Hurworth before they both start working at Eastbourne Comprehensive in the 80s, said she wanted as many people as possible to attend his funeral.

She said: “He was really well known in the area – everyone knew him and he always stopped to talk to people or wave if they pipped their horn as they were passing.

“All the tributes that have been put on Facebook just show how popular a man he was. It was lovely to read the nice things that people wrote about him.”

Mr Johnson, who taught geography, technical drawing and physical education, was also well known as a bellringer, church warden and chorister in the community.

The couple, who lived in Hurworth, have two children Christopher and Catherine, worked together for more than 40 years at the two schools.

Mrs Johnson said: “We were involved in a crash last September when Brian had a mini-stroke. I was quite seriously injured and I think the accident affected him more than he ever let on.

"He suffered a major stroke on March 31 and was in hospital for more than two weeks before he passed away.”

  • The funeral takes place at All Saints Church in Hurworth on Wednesday, May 3 at 10am.