A FORMER head teacher of Terrington Hall School has died aged 72 following a long illness.

Desmond Gray was head from 1987 to 1997. He joined the school in 1976 and served as head of maths, master in charge of rugby and deputy headmaster before becoming headteacher.

An international athlete in his youth, Mr Gray sculled for Northern Ireland at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games Terrington Hall headteacher Jon Glen said: “I was most fortunate to inherit an excellent, well-run school from Desmond and am saddened to hear of his passing.”

Mr Gray’s funeral will take place at 11am on tomorrow (Thursday) at Sneaton Castle, Whitby.