TRIBUTES have been paid to a lecturer who died trying to detain suspected burglars in the grounds of the college where he worked.

Lawrence Hart, who was brought up in Bournemouth and attended the town's grammar school, died after he was attacked at Hawkwood College, near Stroud in Gloucestershire, earlier this month.

Meditation and art teacher Mr Hart, along with caretaker John Jordan, disturbed two men they believed were trying to break into cars in the college car park on August 18.

His distraught family have issued a statement through Gloucestershire Police, describing the 53-year-old as "a resourceful and talented man who touched many lives with his enthusiasm, dedication and commitment."

They said he and his wife married in 1979 and had two children: James, born in 1980, and Rosie, born three years later.

He learned to meditate through the London School of Meditation and the practice became central to his life, said his family.

"He was deeply interested in the link between art and science and produced some scholarly research," said the family statement.

"He was grateful for the opportunity to make the practice of meditation available to a large number of people."

Mr Hart's family added: "Hawkwood College had been Lawrence's home for the last two years.

"In this environment he gained a true sense of peace within himself."

It is thought that members of Mr Hart's family still live in the Bournemouth area.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said two Gloucester men have been charged with the murder of Mr Hart.

First published: August 31