ARESPECTED former North East headteacher and author has died in a drowning tragedy while on holiday in Sri Lanka.

Harry Dobson, 70, died after getting into difficulties while swimming in the sea during a summer break with wife Susan.

The couple, who had visited Sri Lanka before, were due to return to their home in High Stobhill, Morpeth, Northumberland, next week.

Mr Dobson taught in the Morpeth and Choppington area for many years and was a headteacher when he retired in the mid-1990s to take up his passion for writing.

He was the author of a series of books, all with a local theme, and had a particular interest in the Newcastle architect John Dobson.

His books included Dobson on Dobson – which focused on the life and works of his namesake – From Blyth to Berwick and Back, City Sights of Newcastle upon Tyne and Men and Merit, which featured John Dobson and fellow North East architects William Newton and John and Benjamin Green.

Mr Dobson also published an anthology of his poems and gave talks and presentations on the architecture of the region to local groups and organisations.