A community is in mourning after the caretaker of a Bournemouth primary - which is set to close - was found dead in the school hall.

Popular grandfather Gordon Briggs was found hanged at Townsend Primary and Nursery School on Saturday night.

Mr Briggs had been employed at the threatened school for 10 years. He leaves a wife, children and grandchildren.

Users of the adjacent community centre alerted emergency services after becoming concerned at 7.30pm on Saturday.

Shocked residents on the Townsend estate have told how Mr Briggs was deeply committed to his job at the school and was well-loved by the children and his colleagues.

Previously he had been a caretaker at Kingsleigh School and the Littledown Youth Club.

Townsend head teacher Steve Jessop said: "Gordon was a well-liked member of staff, a real character who was an important part of school and I valued him enormously. All the staff here at the school will miss him greatly."

Parent Claire Swan from Townsend met Mr Briggs while she was volunteering at the school.

She said: "He was a selfless man who helped everyone, with anything from a tin of beans to someone to talk to. He was a fantastic man."

Her partner Stan Milligan added: "Gordon was always there for us. He is really going to be missed."

Chief executive of Bournemouth council Pam Donnellan said: "Gordon had a long and loyal history of public service. Colleagues who knew Gordon have described him as a man with a real sense of community spirit who was popular among local people and a valued member of the Townsend community."

The ward councillors expressed their sympathy for Mr Briggs's family.

The council has earmarked Townsend Primary and Nursery School for closure and it is expected to shut at the end of the summer term in July.

Public consultation is still under way and there have been many objections to the proposals but a Cabinet meeting tomorrow will hear closure is still recommended.

Parents and other residents joined forces to mount a campaign to save the school but the council said poor results and dwindling pupil numbers mean the school must close its doors.

A police spokesman told the Daily Echo: "I can confirm that the body of a 58-year-old Bournemouth man was found in a room at Townsend School in Bournemouth on Saturday. There are no suspicious circumstances and HM Coroner has been informed."

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday and an inquest was due to be opened today.