TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a Hampshire dance teacher.

Martin Jordan was described as "devoted and passionate" while as a professional dancer or passing on his love of dance through teaching.

The 81-year-old, from Nursling, died after suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Martin began dancing when he was a teenager and competed in many national competitions throughout his life.

As he got older the Latin and ballroom dancer devoted his life to teaching budding dancers.

For the past 20 years he taught at Nursling and Rownhams village hall.

He also was well known at Poveys dance centre in Southampton in Shirley Road.

Before Martin passed away he was awaiting an operation on his throat after he had been suffering from breathing difficulties.

Martin's sister Maureen Belle, 78, has paid tribute to her brother who died last month.

She said his dance school Nursling and Rownhams village hall in was a "source of immense happiness for him in his retirement years".

She said:" His very loyal dancers in Nursling were a rock of support during his health problems this year; they sustained him in his valiant effort to recover and endure the endless wait for an operation.

"He was truly inspirational and spared no effort in making everyone welcome and feeling at ease.

"He never stopped dancing, his passion grew and grew over the years."

Martin was not just a dancer he also was a touch typist in the RAF and also an engineer.

Maureen said: "He was always there to help - even if it was for a burst pipe in the middle of the night.

"Nothing deterred him, come rain come shine, he went off on his motorbike, toolbox and stuff on the back."

Martin, a fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, was also a member of the Nursling and Rownhams Village Hall Management Committee.

Maureen said: "As a resident of Nursling, it was something that he wanted to be involved in and was delighted to be a member of."

Maureen added: "We were very close and he did so much for others.

"Martin is now reunited with his loving parents and will be greatly missed by his two sisters Maureen and Jane, his nephews Patrice and Patrik, his young nieces Isis and Maëla, and of course, the friends he valued so much."

A funeral service will take place at the lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Hedge End on January 10 at 11am.

Donations can be made to the British Heart Foundation through Hughes Funeral Directors in Hedge End.