TRIBUTES have flooded in for "deeply respected" Weymouth teacher Julian Richards, who has died suddenly at the age of 53.

Mr Richards, who lived on Portland, taught drama at Wey Valley School from 1992 until last summer and supported students as a tutor, a head of year, and head of personal, social and health education (PSHE) and film studies.

A letter sent out to parents by Wey Valley's acting principal Sara Adams described him as "an enthusiastic and passionate teacher".

Ms Adams said: "We were devastated to hear of Julian’s death on Wednesday.

"He represented everything that is best about our school, both in terms of the quality of his teaching and his care for our students and his genuine desire for them to achieve their potential.

"He has many, many friends here, amongst both staff and students, and he will be missed.

"As a school we will be paying tribute to Julian and we are gathering tributes through a condolences memorial board that has been set up for staff and students to remember him by."

Mr Richards was well known at the school for organising his famous trips to the Christmas markets in Germany, as well as school musicals and trips to Dartmoor.

Since leaving Wey Valley, he had been working as a supply teacher and pursuing his dream of opening a brewery company.

Clive Burgess, who was a close friend of Mr Richards, said: "Julian was a kind, compassionate, witty and intellectual man.

"As a teacher, he was deeply respected by students and colleagues alike.

"He supported and inspired young people, especially those who sometimes found school difficult.

"The community, his family and his friends will miss him greatly."

Former teacher Stuart Bainbridge said: "Like anybody else that knew him, I was very privileged to class myself as a friend and a colleague.

"It is wrong that someone so good and so young is taken from us.

"If anyone's footprints ever tracked or crossed those of Julian, you should frame them and treasure them forever.

"We have all been so lucky to have been touched by him.

"All thoughts and prayers are with his family."

A funeral service has yet to be arranged.