PUPILS are planning a tribute to a popular head teacher who has died after a long illness.

Staff at Brookfield Community School in Sarisbury Green have asked children to help decide on a suitable way of remembering Mark Roe, 54.

The married father-of-two had been head teacher at Brookfield for 15 years and led it to specialist status, as well as overseeing a major expansion.

The planned tribute will start with a special assembly for each year group next week.

Deputy head teacher Matthew Leeming said: "Pupils will be coming up with material we can use. There will be lots of music, as that's a strength of the school and was very much a strength of Mark's.

"There will probably be readings as well, with lots of pupils and staff contributing."

A celebration of Mr Roe's life and a permanent memorial will follow at a later stage.

In a letter sent to the parents of all 1,671 pupils, acting head teacher Ria Allan and chairman of governors Gerald Ingram wrote: "Mark's contribution to the life of the school has been enormous and he will be greatly missed by the whole Brookfield community."

Brookfield became Hampshire's fourth languages college in 2002 under the leadership of Mr Roe.

In June 2003 he unveiled plans for a £1.5m state-of-the-art performing arts centre, which opened last year.