COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to the teacher who died in a plane crash which claimed four lives.

Mr Stephen Aspden (45) and his 12-year-old son Jack, of Haweswater Crescent, Unsworth, together with pilot Garry Megson (38) and his eight-year-old son, Peter, from Prestwich, died in the disaster.

Their plane clipped another aircraft's wing, hit several cars and a hangar before bursting into flames at New Garden Airport, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday afternoon.

The Aspden family had travelled to the United States on July 21 to spend a holiday with the Megsons, who were close friends, American police said.

Mr Aspden was a teacher at Siddal Moor Sports College in Heywood. His wife, Alison, and ten-year-old daughter, Charlotte, have flown back to Britain and are staying with Mrs Aspden's parents in Bolton. They were too upset to speak about the tragedy.

Mr Megson had been working for AstraZeneca in the United States for about 11 months as part of a two-year work secondment.

He had previously been living in St Margaret's Road, Prestwich, where he was a well-respected member of the community. Mr Megson was a member of the Scout movement in Prestwich, and was involved on the committee overseeing the building of the new St Margaret's Community Centre.

Governors and heads at the two schools today paid tribute to a "well respected" man known for his "unswerving professionalism".

Anthony Edkins, executive head at Harrop Fold, Little Hulton, said: "Students, staff and governors were extremely sad to hear of the untimely death, in such tragic circumstances, of Stephen and his son Jack.

"Although many members of the school community did not have the privilege of working with Stephen, all of the staff that did attest to his unflagging and unswerving professionalism as well as his total commitment to his family."

Sue Brown, head of the schools service, said: "We were very shocked and saddened to hear of this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with Stephen and Jack's family and friends at this time."

Susan Walker, chair of governors at Siddal Moor Sports College, added: "Although Stephen had only been at Siddal Moor for a short time, he was a well respected member of staff."

Mr Aspden and Jack accompanied Garry Megson and his eight year-old son son Peter on a trip in a light plane from New Garden Airport, Pennsylvania, USA. The foursome rented a Piper Warrior single-engine plane from the airport on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Megson, a pilot with more than 20 years experience, was at the controls when the plane was seen to perform a manoeuvre known as a touch-and-go landing when the crash happened. Instead of the plane regaining height after the wheels touched the runway, it lurched north off the runway and hit another plane before ploughing into cars and bursting into flames when it struck a hangar at the small airfield.

Pilot Garry Megson, aged 38, and his eight-year-old son Peter died instantly alongside Mr Aspden and his son.

Devastated Mrs Aspden and Charlotte are staying with relatives in Bolton after flying back from America after the tragedy.

Mr Megson's wife, Yvonne, and daughter Katie, have returned to England and are staying with family in Preston.