TRIBUTES have been paid after the death of a former Chemistry teacher. Thomas Hanson, from Accrington, was a teacher at Bolton Technical College and a ‘true family man’.

The father-of-two, to Debbie and the late Kim, died age 87 and leaves behind his wife Irene.

Mr Hanson loved travelling abroad on holidays as well as walking in the Lake District.

He also was a talented artist who loved to paint, mainly wildlife and country landscapes, and was also passionate about aeroplanes and steam trains.

Donations in his memory may be made to Cancer Research UK and Moorfield Eye Hospital Charity and The Alzheimer’s Society. His funeral will be at Accrington Crematorium in Burnley Road on Thursday from 1.40pm.