STAFF and pupils returned to school in shock today after the sudden death of a former headmaster.

Andrew Curtis, 52, was head at Diocesan and Payne Smith School, Canterbury, for 16 years before leaving at Easter to set up a property development company with his wife Peta.

But a routine health check-up in mid July revealed he had an aggressive form of Leukaemia and, despite treatment, he died within weeks of the diagnosis at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital on August 14.

The Church of England primary school will close at 2.30pm tomorrow (Friday) for a memorial service at All Saints' Church in Military Road at 3.30pm, which will follow a private funeral for family and close friends at Charing Crematorium.

Deputy head Mike Halling said: "Andrew was a close friend of mine as well as a close colleague. The staff are completely numb. It wasn't expected at all.

"He started treatment at the K&C and seemed to respond but then deteriorated. We are all shocked, and there is so much of Andrew still evident in the school that it is hard to take in.

"Andrew became head in September 1987. He was very much respected by children, parents, governors and staff and was very concerned about staff and pupil welfare."

Mr Curtis, who lived in the village of Newnham, near Faversham, leaves five children from his marriage to first wife Kathy, also a teacher, who died in April 2001, and two step-children.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENTISH GAZETTE