A WELL-known teacher died after a fall from his push-bike while out on a quick leisure ride before dinner.

Dedicated family man Nigel Allcock, 55, died from serious head injuries after being discovered lying close to his bike by roadworks in Congleton Road, Gawsworth, near his home.

The father-of-five taught at All Hallows Catholic High School, Macclesfield, for the past 25 years and was known to generations of pupils.

He was a keen cyclist who had never before had a serious accident.

His wife Sandra, 52, told the Macclesfield Express: "I can't believe this has happened. We are a very close and private family - this has shattered us.

"Hardly a day has passed in our married life without Nigel telling me he loved me, and every day we had lunch together.

"I don't know what I will do now. This still doesn't feel real. The whole family is devastated.

"Nigel meant the world to me. He was a wonderful husband and a wonderful family man."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident. They haven't ruled out the possibility of a hit-and-run driver being involved, but a spokesman said they were 'keeping an open mind'.

Mr Allcock's children - Catherine, 29, James 26, Robert, 23, Emily, 20, and Jonathan, 16 - were at the family home comforting their mother and each other over the weekend and through the early part of this week.

In a cruel twist, and unusually for him, Mr Allcock had forgotten to wear his cycling helmet. He had left it on the ground outside the house.

Mr Allcock had gone for a quick ride at around 7pm on Monday, August 19, and had told his wife he would be back well before dark.

But Mrs Allcock became worried as time passed and went to look for him with her son Robert.

After searching local country lanes they found a police accident scene cordoned off at Lowes Lane near their house - and then they saw his bike. "Immediately, I knew something was wrong," said Mrs Allcock.

Police explained that a man had been taken to Macclesfield Hospital with serious head injuries. At the hospital the family was told Mr Allcock had been moved to the North Staffordshire Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent.

It was there that family members maintained a bedside vigil through the night while brain surgery was performed on Mr Allcock.

"I stayed at his side but he was unconscious throughout," said Mrs Allcock.

She said her husband had been a healthy and very experienced cyclist for most of his life, and only a week previously had bought a new bike (though not the one involved in the accident).

She added: "He used to come to see me on his bike when we were first courting."

The couple originate from The Potteries. They celebrated 32 years of married life on July 31.

Her husband died the day after the accident. An inquest has been opened and adjourned. Cause of death was given as 'blunt head trauma'.

Macclesfield councillor John Goddard, a friend and former colleague of Mr Allcock said he was devastated to hear of his death.

"I worked closely with him over the years - he taught physics and I taught chemistry - and he was a dedicated teacher who got outstanding results from his pupils.

"He maintained tight discipline in the classroom and was respected by his pupils as an excellent teacher. He was extremely intelligent, from a working class background, he had achieved much in life and so have his children.

"Nigel always seemed the picture of health and I know he was very keen on cycling and keeping fit and healthy.

"This is such a tragedy for his family. Nigel was absolutely dedicated to his family and he was, I think, a very private man. His family meant the world to him."

The family has yet to set a date and venue for the funeral, but it is likely to be at Gawsworth Parish Church, said his widow.

The headmaster of All Hallows, Richard Weremczyk (CORR) said he was told of the tragedy while abroad on holiday.

He said: "Nigel will be sorely missed by the whole school community. We were planning, later this year to mark his 25 years service with a presentation and a celebration.

"He was a remarkable teacher, our head of science. Under his instruction, generations of students have achieved great things academically and have gone to university and on to jobs as doctors and suchlike.

"It will be a very difficult time for the school when term starts. There will special assemblies and prayers for him.

"Father Peter Burke, of St Alban's Church in Chester Road, will lead our prayers.

"Our thoughts and prayers, meanwhile, are with Nigel's family."

Though not a Catholic family, all Mr Allcock's children were educated at All Hallows, and all were taught by their father there.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw anything connected with the accident at roadworks on the A536 Congleton Road, near its junction with Marton Lane, on or before it happened at about 7.40pm on Monday, August 19.

Mr Allcock had been riding a blue and white racing cycle. Telephone PC Ross Gibson of Macclesfield Police on 01625 536222.