THE Department of Education and Children has paid tribute to Alan Pickard who died on Saturday aged 69.

Mr Pickard, a former Department of Education music adviser, died at his home in Port St Mary. 

A statement by the department said: "Like his father Harry before him, Alan - first as a secondary music teacher and later as long-serving music adviser and conductor of various choirs and orchestras - introduced many thousands of young people to singing and playing instruments and left them with a love of music that has stayed with them for life.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."

Also see: leading figure in Manx music passes away