TRIBUTE has been paid to a retired teacher who has died aged 56.

Paul Cotton taught maths at University Academy Keighley (UAK) from 1984, when it was Greenhead School, until 2012.

"It was with much sadness that we heard of Paul's death," said UAK assistant vice principal, Irene Ireland.

"He was one of those teachers that students still talk about, even though he had retired from full-time teaching here over two years ago.

"Paul was a much valued colleague whose outlook to teaching, and indeed to life, was 'keep it simple'.

"He had a huge impact on a vast number of students that he taught over the years, many of whom have such positive memories of him.

"He saw the best in people; everyone was an individual, whether it was a colleague or a student. He had a wealth of experiences that he was always prepared to share."

She added that students would be planning their own tribute to Mr Cotton, an Oxford graduate, who lived in Keighley.

Rob Grillo was both a pupil and former colleague of Mr Cotton.

"I was one of the very few who knew him as a teacher and a colleague, as he started teaching at Greenhead back in the days when I was a student there," he said. "He also became a good friend to me when I returned to teach there.

"In all those years I have never heard anyone, either student or colleague, have a bad thing to say about him. He was a gentle giant who will be missed sorely."