Tributes paid after death of long-serving Shropshire head

Tributes have been paid to Brendan Wignall after his death was announced on Friday

A head teacher who ran a prestigious independent school for 27 years has died from cancer.

Brendan Wignall, who led Ellesmere College, Shropshire, from the age of 35, died on Friday.

Acting head Vicky Pritt-Roberts said Mr Wignall, 63, "often described himself as the luckiest person to have a job he loved".

She said the school would miss "his presence, his guidance and especially his sense of humour".

Mrs Pritt-Roberts said the death of her colleague came "as a profound shock to staff, parents, pupils and old Ellesmerians".

Weekend sports events and a planned concert were cancelled as a mark of respect.

A special service for students and staff was held on Monday.

Ellesmere College's chair of governors Charles Lillis said Mr Wignall "brought great passion, clarity of purpose and personal humanity to the role" of head teacher.

"His death is a great loss, not only to his colleagues and students - past and present - at the school, but also to the wider community," he added.

"His love of films, stories and anecdotes and passion for Liverpool Football Club endeared him to all who knew him."

Mr Wignall leaves wife Anne and two children, Catherine and Hugh.