Colleagues have paid tribute to the work of a long-serving governor of a special educational needs school as he retires.

Alan Norris, of Seven Kings, will leave the governing body of Newbridge School, which has campuses in Barley Lane, Goodmayes and Gresham Drive, Chadwell Heath, at the end of term after almost 45 years.

Originally a parent governor and then a community governor, he became the chairman of the committee for Hyleford School, which combined with Ethel Davis School to create Newbridge in 2005.

Mr Norris supported the creation of the new school and went on to become the chairman of the personnel and finance committee.

His dedication to the children and young people with additional learning needs in Redbridge and his “huge experience with learning difficulties” has had a great impact on the school.

Jilly Turley, head of education at the school’s Gresham Drive campus, said: “We will miss his words of wisdom, advice and knowledge as he gave everything and more.

“Alan will be greatly missed throughout the school by senior staff and all the staff and children who knew him.”