POPULAR drama historian and teacher Simon Stone of Swanage has died aged 69 following a battle with cancer.

After he was born in Karachi in Pakistan, Simon moved to Dorset with his family around the age of four and attended at Sherborne School before studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

He participated in a small amount of filming work for the BBC and then went on to be employed by the Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts (BCCA) in Boscombe until the age of 48.

Thereafter, he worked as a self-employed independent drama teacher in schools in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and across Dorset.

Kate Carter, executive head teacher of The Educational Alliance of Canford Heath, which encompasses Ad Astra Infant School, Haymoor Junior School, Canford Heath Infant School and Canford Heath Junior School, said that Simon had supported the teaching of history in education for decades.

She described him as a 'real inspiration to thousands of local children' and said that he had the ability to bring a number of topics and eras to life in a way that she had not seen anybody else master. Kate added that she had worked with Simon at a number of Poole and Bournemouth primary schools and he had 'become part of the furniture' in Canford Heath.

Over the years, Simon supported children to re-enact events through the use of drama, such as the World War Two child evacuation, the Celts and the Great Fire of London.

Angela Malanczuk, chair of Poole Schools Association, described Simon as a 'true professional' and said that he had inspired and motivated 'hundreds of teachers and children across Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset.'

She added that he had 'opened one’s eyes to the power of drama as a tool and experience to make learning fun and exciting.'

In his spare time, Simon loved the sea and enjoyed spending time combing the beach and restoring old pine furniture.

He was married for 40 years to wife Lucy following their wedding in 1970, and later welcomed their son, Tim.

Simon died on April 29 after being diagnosed with cancer and his family held a private funeral. A memorial service and celebration of the life of Simon is being held at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Swanage on Saturday, July 16 at 2.30pm.