TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Romsey teacher.

Don Smith passed away just before Christmas aged 96, and spent time in the town teaching at Romsey School and began the town's Romsonian Club for youngsters.

He also held sponsored walks through the New Forest.

On top of his teaching, Don spent time volunteering at Romsey Blind Club as well as captaining and later managing Romsey Town Football Club and playing at former Saints ground The Dell.

Born in Oxfordshire, he moved to the town aged two and spent his entire life in Romsey, with his parents running a shoe repair business in Love Lane.

He attended Peter Symonds School in Winchester before the Second World War.

Don's son Stewart said: "He was a much-loved man and everyone will miss him deeply.

"I shared a post on social media and it's had around 300 comments from former students and others who knew him and they all hold him in high esteem."

Don's funeral was held on January 3 at Test Valley Crematorium.