TRIBUTES have been paid to a former deputy head teacher and lifeboat volunteer who has died, aged 65.

Alan Osborn, of Washford Gardens, Clacton, passed away at Colchester General Hospital on August 14 following a short illness.

He started teaching PE at Colbayns High School, in Clacton, before going on to be head of department at Gunfleet School, in Frinton, which later became Tendring Technology College.

Mr Osborn later became head of year and then senior master and vice-principal.

Former college principal Mike Watson paid tribute to Mr Osborn, who worked at the school for 20 years before retiring in 2004.

He said: “He believed very strongly in the responsibility of the role that he played, and never underestimated its importance in the lives of so many young people.

“Alan was justly proud of what he achieved in his working life.

“But like many a good husband, father, and most recently grandfather, he was prouder still of the family he loved so dearly, and who are now missing him so much.”

Mr Osborn also volunteered at Clacton RNLI’s lifeboat station, where he was known to the crew as “Teach”. He volunteered as a launcher in 2006, when the station was situated at Clacton Pier.

When the lifeboat moved to the new boathouse at Martello Bay he took up the new position of head launcher.