FORMER deputy head and Methodist preacher George Plummer, from Norton, has died aged 86.

A retired teacher, who worked at Rillington Primary School for many years, Mr Plummer is also remembered for his work with Bethel Methodist Church, in Norton.

Friends and family have paid tribute describing him as a "true gent" and "a kind man".

Mr Plummer was born in Yedingham, and his family moved to Beverley Road, Norton, when he was very young.

He attended Norton Boys' School before leaving school and joining the Co-op. As a young boy he began attending the Primitive Methodist Sunday School, and at the age of 16 he became a member of the church.

He was encouraged to train as a local preacher, assisting at services for two years, before becoming a preacher on the local circuit in his own right at the age of 19.

When war broke out Mr Plummer joined the RAF medical section and was posted to Cyprus and Egypt. By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of sergeant.

He married Vera during the war and the couple had two children, Carol and Nigel.

After being demobbed, Mr Plummer attended teacher training college in Hornchurch and afterwards returned to the area to take up a post at Rillington Primary School.

During his working life he was appointed president of the local Co-op, he was an active member of the National Union of Teachers, was secretary of the Bethel Methodist Church Council and also ran the Sunday School there.

He retired from teaching in 1979 and took up an interest in photography and painting.

Mr Plummer outlived his wife and leaves his two children and grandchildren William and Daniel.

Updated: 13:26 Monday, August 13, 2001