TRIBUTES have been paid to the first vice principal at Hereford Sixth Form College who stayed in the role for 25 years.

The Folly Lane College said it had lost a second founding father of the institution with the death of Neil Arlett.

The college said it was fast approaching its 50th anniversary after its founding in 1973 when Mr Arlett became the first vice principal under the leadership of Dr Geoff Barnes, who also died recently.

Mr Arlett, who died at Hereford County Hospital on February 12 after a short illness, held the post until 1998 before retiring, at which point the current college principal Peter Cooper took over.

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"Neil left me big boots to fill and I remember clearly everyone telling me what a great person and what a good job he did," Mr Cooper said.

"When I later met him it struck me what a wonderful, kind, understanding and perceptive man he was.

"I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him – quite an achievement in that job."

Mr Arlett later became a governor and contributed to being involved in the college’s development.

Dr Ken Hopkins, then chair of governors and currently chair of the overall Heart of Mercia Multi Academy Trust, remembers him as "the epitome of the English Gentleman, with a dry sense of humour and an engaging manner".

"Many in the Hereford county will remember him fondly and he will be much missed," he added.