A teacher who worked for 28 years despite suffering from the effects of polio is retiring.

Tony Little is retiring today on medical advice after nearly three decades at Colbayns High School in Clacton.

Headteacher Nick Pavitt said: "Tony has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the school. He is indeed something of a legend and will be sorely missed."

Mr Little contracted polio when he was nine and after a three-month stay in hospital was left with a paralysed left leg and has worn a calliper ever since.

In September 1970, Mr Little joined what was Clacton County Secondary Boys School as a geography teacher.

When the school amalgamated in 1973 he become second in geography and head of geology. Three years later he was head of year 11.

Mr Little became school co-ordinator in charge of assessment, recording and reporting in 1991 but last year he became ill with a condition called Post Polio Syndrome and has decided to take retirement on medical grounds.

Mr Pavitt added: "Tony had a knack for winning the confidence of youngsters and giving sympathetic attention to their problems."

Despite falling ill at an early age he ended up as head boy at Brightlingsea Secondary Modern School and went on to what was North East Essex Tech in Colchester to study A-levels before going to college in London.

Despite often being unwell he learnt to fence and play badminton and as a student worked on a boatyard.

He also worked on Clacton Pier, was a Mod with a scooter and learned to sail.

In 1966/67 he was in charge of the rescue launch at Brightlingsea Sailing Club. A passionate hobby is model making and he has made models for various people including General Cordingly who as Brigadier, led the British Armed Forces during the Gulf War.

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