TRIBUTES were today paid to a former head teacher who died in an accident on the A12 near Saxmundham Alan Jack Revell, aged 84, who was known as Jack, of St John's Road, Saxmundham, was confirmed dead at the scene after his green Nissan Micra car was involved in a collision with a lorry at around 8.

TRIBUTES were today paid to a former head teacher who died in an accident on the A12 near Saxmundham

Alan Jack Revell, aged 84, who was known as Jack, of St John's Road, Saxmundham, was confirmed dead at the scene after his green Nissan Micra car was involved in a collision with a lorry at around 8.30am yesterday at the B1121 junction at Kelsale.

Mr Revell, who was the only occupant of the car, was well known throughout Saxmundham.

Mr Revell's wife, Helen, paid tribute to her husband, who played an active part in town life after the couple moved there in the early 1950s.

Mr Revell, who also leaves three sons and five grandchildren, was a former Labour member of Saxmundham Urban District Council, which later became Saxmundham Town Council, and was twice a town council chairman.

He was head teacher at Rendham primary school, then at Saxmundham primary until he retired. Mr Revell was heavily involved in Saxmundham Sports Club, where he was chairman and secretary for some years, and remained a trustee.

He was also an avid Ipswich Town supporter and season ticket holder.

"He did a lot for his community because that was the sort of thing he was supposed to do," said Mrs Revell. "He thought he should pay something back."

He was a keen gardener and chess player and enjoyed postal chess.

Roy Simpson, himself a former town council chairman, said the town would be in "absolute shock" about his death.

He described him as "a marvellous man, a gentle gentleman", as well as an intelligent and progressive man.

"He was all for change and encouraging young people and the development of the town," he said.