'I get a little bit of dad back with every message'

Philip Fryer was a teacher at Meols Cop and a headteacher at Bootle High School

The daughter of a headteacher who died last week has thanked former pupils for sharing their memories as each one is "like getting an extra five minutes" with her dad.

Philip Fryer was a science teacher at Meols Cop High School between 1994 and 2003. He moved on to become the headteacher at Bootle High School, before finally retiring.

In an attempt to reach ex-pupils and colleagues of her dad, his daughter Belle Ford posted to Facebook groups and encouraged stories to be shared.

The post said: "He always loved an underdog. He had a lot of empathy for students who found schooling additionally challenging for any reason."

"I'm hoping to share some stories with the family so we all feel a little less robbed," it added.

Belle's post was inundated with dozens of supportive messages, including several from those Mr Fryer used to teach.

Victoria Louise said: "I remember his larger than life character very well, and this post has made me feel sad. Lots of love to his family."

Lindsey Hall said: "I remember Mr Fryer and his checked shirts.

"He was great teacher, scary voice when he shouted though, but we all loved him, he was definitely one of the good teachers."

Belle Ford said her dad "cared deeply" about the children he taught

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Belle said before his death her Dad enjoyed his retirement and spent a lot of time travelling around the world.

She said he "absolutely loved" travelling on cruises with his wife.

"He's seen most of the world now. He's been everywhere on cruises," she added.

Offering an insight into where his love of teaching came from, Belle said her Dad had grown up "with very little" so he "cared deeply" about children in schools he taught getting opportunities.

"He wanted them to go ahead and do something with their lives that they cared about. That was very important to him," she added.