Forward-thinking and popular headteacher Eric Meadows, who dedicated his teaching career to two Brighton primary schools, has died aged 69.

He was involved in a serious car accident in Rottingdean in December last year when he suffered a blackout and had spells in hospital ever since.

Mr Meadows was the head of Saltdean Middle School from 1972 to 1982 before returning to Westdene Primary School where he first started his career.

He retired as head of Westdene in July 2000 at an emotional school assembly.

A keen supporter of technology, Mr Meadows believed schools should be at the forefront of progress and introduced Westdene to the computer age.

Born in South London, Mr Meadows was educated at John Ruskin Grammar School and worked as an estate agent and then as an insurance clerk on leaving school.

He did his National Service with the RAF in Germany in 1954 and 1955.

He later decided to train as a teacher, qualifying at the teacher training college in Bognor Regis.

His first job was at Westdene Primary School in 1964. The school had been open for only three years.

He moved to Saltdean Middle School as deputy head where he later became headteacher before returning to Westdene as headteacher in 1982.

The 500-pupil school thrived under his headship. He introduced after-school clubs and encouraged music, which he was especially happy when teaching.

He had two sons by his first wife, Pat, who he married in 1962. Simon was born in 1967 and Daniel two years later.

In 1976 he married his second wife, Eva, and they had a daughter Hanna in 1978. He regarded Eva's son Jesper as his own. Mr Meadows tutored at the Open University and also gave lecturers to primary headteachers in Brighton on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council.

He was a governor at Chailey Heritage School, near Lewes.

Mr Meadows also qualified as a reflexologist and took a keen interest in a number of alternative therapies.

He spent the final months of his life at the Nevill Hospital, Hangleton, Hove.

The funeral will be held tomorrow at Woodvale Crematorium, Lewes Road, Brighton, at 2.30pm.

The family are requesting that people should wear bright colours in celebration of Mr Meadow's life and donations should go to Chailey Heritage School.