TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved school chaplain who has died.

Tim Aldridge, who was a member of staff at Queen's College, Taunton, passed away on Sunday evening after a long battle with cancer.

Tim, who was in his early 40s, leaves a wife, Natasha, and their three daughters. Grace, Hannah and Amalie.

A mark of the respect felt for him was evidenced in a fundraising campaign launched last month, which has raised more than £65,000 to care for the family he leaves behind.

A statement issued by his family this week said: "Tim was the attraction in any room he was in.

"Always full of energy and life, he loved his wife and children who were known as 'Tash and the girls'.

"As a family we will miss his ever-present smile and wanting to connect with people.

"He touched so many people's lives and his legacy will live on in their lives and also through his wife and three girls."

Lizzie Biggs, who helped set up the fundraising appeal, described Tim, who lived in a village near Taunton, as "the kindest, happiest, most infectious believer in Jesus we could ever hope to meet".

She added: "If you were having a bad day, two minutes with Tim would sort you out. He has always had time for everyone."

Tim joined Queen's College in September 2017 after spending four years as chaplain at Shebbear College, in North Devon.

Previously he had been a youth worker with the Launceston Area Methodist Circuit in Cornwall.

Julian Noad, headmaster at Queen's, said: "The death of Tim Aldridge is a huge loss to so many people.

"To us he was a deeply respected and much-loved member of the Queen's family and he will be greatly missed.

"In his role as school chaplain Tim made a huge impact on the Queen’s community and he will be remembered always, with great fondness.

"Tim passed away on Sunday evening following a brave and dignified fight against cancer and our hearts and our thoughts are with Tim’s family and his many, many friends.

"At some point, we will come together at Queen’s to commemorate Tim and we will share details in due course, but for now we will all comfort each other at this time of sadness."