Long-serving Trowbridge College principal George Nicholson has died at the age of 85, following a stroke.

He headed the college from 1972 to 1992, after moving to Trowbridge from Hertford-shire, and remained in the town after his retirement, with wife Angeline, whom he met working at the college.

Mr Nicholson was being kept overnight at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, after a routine procedure, when he suffered a major stroke. He died on Monday, a week later.

Mrs Nicholson said: “If he didn’t have to retire, I think he would have gone on forever. He always loved his job and was always doing things for the community. He was a member of the Rotary Club in Trowbridge for years.”

After retiring from teaching, Mrs Nicholson started the Match clothes shop in Church Walk, where her husband would often help out.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, at 12.15pm the West Wiltshire Crematorium.