Tributes have been paid to a former headteacher who has died.

Stephen Gillham, who was born in Brighton, was head of St Mark's Primary School in Whitehawk and Ifield First School in Crawley.

Born on May 5, 1960, he spent much of his life in Brighton and his parents, John and Wendy, ran a car salesroom and mechanics workshop in George Street called Gillham Motors.

He attended Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School for boys when he was 11 and later trained to become a teacher.

His long-standing friend Father Derek Carberry, assistant curate of St Paul's in Whitley Bay, paid tribute to his passion for education.

Father Carberry said: "Stephen always wanted to be a priest from about the age of nine.

"He always thought he was called to be a priest but life goes off at tangents and he trained to be a teacher.

"He was made headteacher of St Mark's in 1996 and was a person who was deeply passionate about education and children.

"This was man of many gifts and talents; a teacher, a manager and inspirational leader, a musician playing piano, organ, recorder and guitar, a singer, a cook and bon viveur, lover of poetry, literature, theology and theatre.

"Always the life and soul of a party as well as a man to turn to in crisis for support, care and compassion."

In 1999, Mr Gillham was appointed the Chichester Diocesan director of education, a role he enjoyed but, missing the bustling atmosphere of school life, he took another headship, this time at Gamesley Primary School in Glossop, Derbyshire.

Leaving the school in 2004, he trained for the priesthood at the College of the Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, but ill-health prevented him being ordained beyond the order of deacon.

He was ordained in July 2006 at Newcastle Cathedral Church of St Nicholas and served the parish of Saint Peter and Saint Luke in Wallsend before he fell ill.

He died in Newcastle on April 17 aged 47 from kidney failure after a long battle with a viral brain infection.

Father Carberry said his friend fought his illness with "great determination" but also accepted it because of his faith in God through which "he believed he knew where he was going".

Father Beau Brandie, team rector at The Resurrection, Brighton, knew Mr Gillham for more 30 years.

He said: "The church and the world have lost a man of great ability who I think would have done great things for God in welding his educational skills and his passion for Christ in the ministry."

Dr Sharie Coombes, the current head teacher at St Mark's, said: "Steve took on a failing school and rapidly brought it out of special measures.

"He made improvements to the building and to the curriculum but above all he brought a deep spirituality to the school which we have continued to build upon."

Leave your tributes to Mr Gillham below.