A former headteacher of Eastburn Junior School has died aged 84.

David Keighley was head for 16 years, until his retirement in 1989.

But the great grandfather entered teaching relatively late.

Following a spell working in a bank, he trained for the merchant navy, but before he could go to sea was called up for National Service, serving with the army in Somalia and Kenya.

He later got a job on migrant ships to Australia and troop ships to Korea, Japan and the Far East at the time of the Korean war.

He also ran a milk bar in North Street, Keighley, before deciding to follow his wife Kathleen – whom he married in 1956 – into the teaching profession.

Mr Keighley, who lived at Banks Lane in Riddlesden, was a member of Steeton Male Voice Choir for 40 years and of Keighley Rugby Union Club for half a century.

Mr Keighley is survived by his wife and leaves children Paul, Jane, Stephen and Anne.

He also has eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Riddlesden, on Tuesday at 1.15pm