Tributes have been paid to a teacher who has died.

Thomas Hickman taught metal work at Macclesfield Central School on Byron Street for 24 years, inspiring generations of young pupils in the town.

And as well as passing on his knowledge to youngsters, Tom also used his skill with metal to craft silver items which he would gift to charities to help raise funds.

Tom, of Buxton Road, Macclesfield, died from cancer aged 88. His funeral will be held today (Wednesday 15) at Macclesfield Crematorium at 10.40am, with an event planned after at the Puss in Boots pub on Buxton Road.

He was married to second wife Vera for many years, and was a dad to son Steven and grandfather to Kris and Kelly.

Tom’s son Steven Hickman said: “Dad did his teacher training in the mid 1950s and started to teach metal and wood work at Central School. He went on to become head of his department and taught many generations of children in Macclesfield.

“Everywhere we went someone would know him - when he was teaching he was popular as he always said he treated his students how he would like to be treated himself.”