Tributes have been paid to a "kind and thoughtful" former head teacher whose funeral is set to be held this week.

Bob Cargill, former head teacher of Bishop Gilpin Primary School in Wimbledon, died at the age of 63 on July 9, having battled motor neurone disease with "exemplary courage".

Mr Cargill took over as head teacher at Bishop Gilpin in 1995 and played a leading part in the 250th anniversary of the founding of the school which was originally opened on the edge of Wimbledon Common in 1759.

Staff paid tribute to Mr Cargill who retired from the school in 2010, with one member of staff recalling with fondness her memories of his time at the school.

She said: "I have fantastic memories of Bob encouraging the children to sing and of him joining in with the actions.

"I remember him leading "If I was a butterfly" and acting an elephant with a trunk and on another occasion, a wiggly worm.

"When he was head we were treated to dancers, gymnasts and karate experts. He was such a kind, thoughtful man who cared about the children at Bishop Gilpin and ensured that they had an excellent education that was fun for them and for the staff too."

Bob Cargill, described as a strong family man, leaves behind his wife Chantal, a former assistant head teacher at Holy Cross School in New Malden, and his sons Pierre-Michel, who is deputy head teacher at Wimbledon College, Laurent and Olivier.

His funeral will take place on July 25 at St Mary’s Church, Wimbledon.