A SCIENCE teacher at a Bolton school has been killed in a freak climbing accident in the Peak District.

Ian McMullan, who taught science at Withins School for 12 years, was hit on the head by a falling rock during a climb with friends near Buxton.

Police said the married father-of-two was at the base of a quarry when a climber above him dislodged a large rock which tumbled down and struck the teacher on the head.

Mr McMullan, who was due to celebrate his 45th birthday today, died instantly and mountain rescue experts were called in to recover his body. His death has stunned friends, staff and pupils at the Bolton school.

Staff members at Withins today spoke of their deep sense of shock. They have also paid tribute to Mr McMullan, who they described as a much-loved member of the school community.

Peter Richardson, the school's deputy head, said: "Ian was an excellent teacher and form tutor.

"He was a dedicated and committed member of staff. He was a lover of music and played an important role in a number of school productions.

"His death comes as a great shock to us all. He was an important member of the school community and he will be sadly missed."

Mr McMullan, who was a member of Lancashire Mountaineering Club, was a very experienced climber and had completed expeditions to the Alps and Himalayas. He had only just returned home to Wrightington, Wigan, from a trip to the Alps with his family and was with two friends at the Harpur Hill Quarry in the Peak District when the accident happened.

His death has shocked the many climbing friends he has made over the years.

His love of climbing was also well known at the school. Mr McMullan often used to take slides of his mountaineering expeditions into class to show pupils as an end of term treat.

Mr McMullan was also closely involved with the school shows, spending hours of free time organising electrics and lighting. Former teaching colleague Lillian Stokes said: "Without him the show would not have gone on. He was a very caring teacher who really did have the kids at heart, but would not tolerate any bad behaviour."

Mrs Stokes, along with most of the school's teaching staff and many climbing friends, gathered at Blackburn Crematorium for his funeral. So many people were there to pay their respects that many had to stand outside the chapel.

Mr McMullan leaves a wife, Angela, who is also a teacher, and daughters Jennifer, aged nine, and Lauren, aged seven.