A Selby teacher retiring after 37 years today revealed his most embarrassing moment in a classroom.

Stephen Payne had just moved to Brayton High School and was about to conduct his first lesson for a class of 12-year-olds.

The subject was sex education and among the pupils who walked into the classroom was his daughter, Jenny.

Mr Payne, 61, said: "It was the most embarrassing moment of my life and possibly hers as well.

"It obviously didn't put her off, though, because she is now a teacher herself."

It has been a real family affair at Brayton High, now called Brayton College, for the Paynes.

Their other daughter, Joanna, 21, and sons Julian, 29, and Jonathan, 28, all went to Brayton High while Mr Payne was deputy head teacher.

To cap it all, his wife, Kathleen, 52, is a teaching assistant at the same school.

Mr Payne, who retires next Friday, said: "All our children did well at Brayton and went on to gain university degrees, so we have a lot to thank the staff for."

After teaching in Suffolk for eight years, Mr Payne moved to Selby in 1974 to teach at Selby Secondary School, later to become Staynor High.

He stayed there until 1984, the last two years as deputy head teacher, before moving to Brayton High as deputy head.

Mr Payne, who lives in Eggborough, said: "I've really enjoyed my time here. It's a lovely place to work, with excellent resources and buildings.

"The staff are first rate and the vast majority of pupils hard-working and pleasant. I regard myself as very fortunate to have worked here for 19 years."

Mr Payne plans to spend his retirement doing more work at Pontefract Congregational Church, where he is organist, travelling, and devoting more time to his three grandchildren.

He and his wife, who will continue with her career, plan to celebrate with a Baltic cruise in the summer.

Updated: 13:06 Saturday, July 12, 2003